Journal of voyages to China and return, 1851-1853

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JOURNAL OF VOYAGES

TO CHINA AND RETURN

1851-1853

«•• 1.

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
Duke University Libraries

http://www.archive.org/details/journalofvoyagesOOblan

HENRY BLANK Y
From a photograph taken shortly after his return from China

HENRY BLANEY

BOSTON 1822-1S96

journal of l^opageB

TO

CHINA AND RETURN

1851-1853

llBosfton

PKIVATELY PRINTED
1913

COPYRIGHT, I913, BY DWIGHT BLANEY

PREFATORY NOTE

The following Journals written by my father,
touching as they do on that wonderful period
of American shipping known as the " Clipper
Ship Era," are of sufficient interest, I am sure,
to those of my generation to warrant their pub-
lication.

Those of us, his children, relatives, and
friends, who remember him, and love his mem-
ory, will have recalled to them by these pages
the enthusiasm, generosity, and love of friend-
ship of this kindly man.

I am under obligation to Mr. George C.
Wales, whose knowledge of the sea and ships
and whose personal regard for my father have
combined to make him of great assistance in
the publication of these Journals.

Dwight Blaney.

Boston, February 28, 1913.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Henry Blaney Frontispiece

From a photograph taken shortly after his return
from China

Benjamin Blaney x

1794-1857

Abigail (Bowman) Blaney . . . . xii

1794-1873

Clipper Ship, " Flying Cloud " . . .82

From a print in the collection of Mr. George C.
Wales

Facsimile of a Page from the Journal
of Henry Blaney 120

End Paper Track Chart of Outward
and Homeward Voyages

HENRY BLANEY

Born January 3, 1822 — Died February 2, 1896

HENRY BLANEY, the author of the
Journals, was born at No. 19 Common
Street, Boston, the son of Benjamin (born Sep-
tember 20, 1794; died 1857) and Abigail
(Bowman, born 1794; died 1873). He was
descended from John Blaney (born 1629 ;
married Hannah King), who settled in Lynn,
Massachusetts, in 1659. He received his educa-
tion in the Boston Public Schools and Chauncy
HaU School.

In 1844, Mr. Blaney became a member of
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com-
pany, and on July 15, 1850, was elected a
member of the Independent Company of Ca-
dets, becoming sergeant in 1854, and was for
a number of years clerk of the First Corps of
Cadets, M. V.M. He was also a Mason, joining
the Columbian Lodge in 1843, and at the time
of his death was a Knight Templar. He was a

x HENRY BLANEY

charter member of the Boston Art Club, of
which he remained a member until his death.
He was also a life member of the Massachu-
setts Horticultural Society, and for many years
a member of the Bostonian Society. Returning
from China, as shown in the Journals, June 6,
1853, he entered the counting-room of F. Skin-
ner & Company, where he remained for nine-
teen years.

On March 14, 1854, Mr. Blaney married
Mary French Wood (born December 22, 1833 ;
died January 6, 1912) and resided first in
Dedham, and later in Brookline, corner of Park
and Vernon Streets. In 1870, the family, now
with four children, moved into Boston, living
at 47 Commonwealth Avenue for some years.
In the panic following the great fire of Boston
in November, 1872, he suffered severely finan-
cially, and was forced to give up most of his
property, including the Boston house and his
Babcock Street, Brookline, property, which
entire street he owned and laid out with shade
trees.

He died in Salem, February 2, 1896, at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. Ross Turner, and

*i

BENJAMIN BLANKY

1794-1857

HENRY BLANEY xi

was buried in the family tomb at Mount Au-
burn.

"We know little about Mr. Blaney's father,
Benjamin Blaney, though a Boston paper of
the year 1857 has the following notice of his
death : —

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN CITIZEN

Mr. Benjamin Blaney, one of our well-known
citizens of the old school, died on the 10th inst., in
the 64th year of his age. The deceased was born
in Boston September 20th, 1794. He was a mason
by trade, and worked on many of the most substan-
tial structures built in the city from 1815 to 1835.
He was a Representative from Boston to the Legis-
lature in 1853 and 1854, and has served in other
public trusts. He was for many years a prominent
member of the fire department, and received a
handsome testimonial from the insurance companies,
for his efficiency at the famous Beacon Street fire.
His integrity and stability of character won for him
the respect and regard of a wide circle of friends.

Benjamin Blaney patented a domestic oven
in 1834, the papers from the United States
Patent Office being signed by President Andrew
Jackson. He was in charge of the work when

xii HENRY BLANEY

the granite gate- and fence-posts in front of the
State House were put in place. He also had
the notoriety of shooting an eagle on the vane
on the spire of Hollis Street Church, about
1837, an occurrence which made some discus-
sion in the Boston Transcript of March 30,
and April 20, 1885. He was a pewholder in the
Hollis Street Church, the plan of which, with
names of pewholders, showing the position of
his pew, is shown at the Bostonian Society.

ABIGAIL (BOWMAN) BLANK Y
17114-1873

INTRODUCTION

THESE Journals of Henry Blaney, of a
Voyage from New York to Hong-Kong,
and a Voyage from Shanghai to New York,
were written during his passages to and from
China, in the employ of Wolcott, Bates &
Company. The Outward Journal was sent to
his family in Boston, after his arrival out, as the
narrative of his experiences. The Homeward
Journal, of course, returned with him. Both
were written chiefly as intimate family letters.

The Editors have felt that, beyond the ad-
dition of notes, the Journals should have no
more changes at their hands than those abso-
lutely necessary. A few omissions have been
made, where the daily entry was merely the
ship's position, or where an account of the
writer's physical condition could hardly in-
terest the reader. In such anecdotes as might
give pain to the families connected with the
actors, other names have been substituted.

Of the data included in this introduction,

xiv INTRODUCTION

and in many of the footnotes, it is obvious
that the Editors can have but little knowledge
at first hand, and they wish to express the
deepest sense of obligation to Captain Arthur
H. Clark, of New York, whose interest in the
Journals, and whose kindly advice and sug-
gestions have been most encouraging and help-
ful. Not only has he given freely of his time,
but also his permission to quote his work, TJie
Clipper Ship Era (G. P. Putnam's Sons,
New York, 1910) ; and with his assistance, a
task, otherwise involving chance of inaccuracy
and loose statement, has been made compara-
tively simple. Quotations and records, unless
otherwise credited, are from The Clipper Ship
Era.

The Editors present these Journals of the
time when America furnished the speediest
and surest bottoms, domestic or foreign, that
the world's carrying trade had ever known, —
a period that lasted until the great develop-
ment of the steamship, and until our national
policy in regard to navigation laws threw the
foreign carrying trade into other hands.

GEORGE C. WALES.

JOURNAL FROM NEW YORK TO
CANTON

JOURNAL

FROM NEW YORK TO CANTON
SHIP "SAMUEL RUSSELL"

CAPTAIN LIMEBURNER

March 13, 1851

AFTER making a few purchases in New
York, and settling my bill at the Astor
House for 6 days' board and washing, etc., took
a carriage, and with my trunk and other bag-
gage, left the house at 91 o'clk for the ship
Samuel Russell, lying at Pier 27 East River.
Found everything in readiness for Sea, and
Capt. Limeburner anxious to get off for Can-
ton. Went up to see Mr. Wolcott and the own-
ers of the ship — A. A. Low & Bros. — got my
letters, directions, etc., and accompanied by
Mr. Henry G. Wolcott — my Employer —
started again for the ship, and arrived just as
she was leaving the Pier towed by a steamer.

4 HENRY BLANEY

The deck was crowded by persons taking
leave of their friends, they were not few as you
may judge from the nature of our passengers
— There were nine passengers in all, 2 male
and 3 female missionaries, — 1 squalling 2 year
old — (pleasant augury for a 3 months' voy-
age — ) property of one of them. Mr. A. . . .
(a brother of Geo. A. . . . , Lawyer of Bos-
ton — he was once a man of property, but was
unfortunate and took to drinking — was going
out to China to retrieve his fortune) — a Chi-
nese boy of 21 years of age (fine specimen) —
and myself. We had a crew of 22 men and
boys (who paid $100. each for the privilege of
going, and by the way, one of them looked
very much like Frank Bowman, but about as
large as James) — 3 mates and with the Cap-
tain (a fine fellow from Thomaston, Me.)
making in all 39 souls.

The Steamer towed us out to Sandy Hook
where she left us, together with the friends
of the passengers — the pilot left us about
10 miles outside and we then bade adieu to
America.

March ljf. Blew very fresh — sea high —

HENRY BLANEY 5

made a fine run of about 250 miles up to 12
o'clk this day — which is called the first day —
good health and spirits.

March 15. Queer feeling in my stomach —
wasn't anybody — my health barometer indi-
cating squally weather.

March 16. Sunday. Do. Do. Would have
sold myself for a shilling — could n't find any-
body up for a bid — all turned in — Steward
in great demand.

March 17. Do — Do — slight variation in
my barometer — heard an order to heave the
log ; felt my stomach Do. about the same time
— faint recollection of the blk. Steward ask-
ing Massa Blaney if he hab nothing — tried
to speak — uttered a grunt — did just as well.

March 18. Health barometer rising — Still
blowing fresh — out and on deck. Mr. A. . . .
for the want of his customary stimulants, was
very nervous and was troubled in the same way
as Aunt Eliza — fancied he could hear people
talking to him — said he had just heard from
his wife in N. Yk. of the death of 2 of his
children — were to be buried at 5 o'clk that
day — he was in a horrid state of excitement

6 HENRY BLANEY

— but perfectly harmless — would take on very
bad — asked me if I could hear people talking
to him — would go up on deck in the night and
imagine his wife was talking to him from the
mast-head — the Captain was fearful he would
get overboard — and set a man to watch him
closely.

March 19. Beautiful day — weather very
warm, 74 degrees, — got out my thin clothes
and stowed the rest away — health and spirits
first rate — began to eat my allowance — 6
days out — Lat. 33-57 North — 50-59 Long.
West, about 1500 miles from N. Yk. — first
rate run — Captain and I first rate friends.

March 20. Splendid Day, very warm —
wind S.E. nearly ahead — at 12 o'clk going
only 8 knots — made this day 185 miles —
shortest day's sail since we left N. Yk.

March 21. Fine day — not much wind —
Saw 5 sail — signalled one —

March 22. Made up my mind last night to
get up early this a.m. and take a bath —
backed out when I woke and found the wind
blowing fresh from the South.

March 23. Sunday. Fine day, wind blow-

HENRY BLANEY 7

ing very fresh from the South, none of the
Ladies made their appearance at breakfast —
all sick, only one came to dinner — The Mis-
sionaries had made up their minds to have
services after dinner on deck — but nearly all
being sick, gave it up. The Captain had noti-
fied the Crew that all who felt disposed might
prepare themselves to come aft the mainmast
after dinner to attend the Services but were
obliged to give it up. Wind ahead all day and
blowing very fresh — estimated to be about
2000 miles from N. Yk. A fine run — had we
been going to England with this wind would
have arrived in 10 days — Steamer time —

March 2J±. . . . Shall try in a day or two
shower baths — by going on deck early in the
morning while the crew are washing the decks,
and have them pump on me — made an agree-
ment with the Captain to get up yesterday
morning and try it — rather cold — we backed
out.

March 25. Very warm day — not much
wind — commenced studying Spanish.

March 26. Continued very warm — head
winds.

8 HENRY BLANEY

March 27. Calm — and head winds. While
we were at dinner quite a scene occurred — it
was calm — hardly wind enough to move the
ship ahead — and unbeknown to the 2d. mate,
whose watch it was on deck, she commenced
going astern while there was a very bad sea
running — when all at once we were startled
by the water pouring into the after cabin win-
dows— she being very sharp astern as all
Clipper Ships are, she did not have the bear-
ings which other ships have — therefore instead
of rising on top of the waves while going astern
— would plunge into it and in a few moments
the movable articles in the cabin were all afloat.
Then commenced a scene which I am unable
to describe — it was an exciting time for a few
moments. The Captain started on deck to get
headway upon her — while the steward and the
two Chinese boys and some of us passengers
succeeded after considerable trouble in closing
the ports of the windows, while the Ladies
mounted the tables and chairs to save a swamp-
ing ; after a while with the assistance of swabs,
buckets, etc., we succeeded in clearing the cabin,
and sat down to finish our dinner.

HENRY BLANEY 9

March 28. Calm — made only 72 miles this
day — saw the first fish — a Bonito — about as
large as a Haddock — jump out of water.

March 29. Fine day and very warm — saw
a School flying fish, which was the first new
sight to me, excepting a gale and storm at
sea.

March SO. Sunday. A more beautiful day
I never saw. The Missionaries were able to
appear on deck which they were unable to do
on the previous Sunday. By permission of the
Captain they were allowed to hold services on
deck, and just after dinner all hands were
called aft where seats were provided for them,
although there were probably only 3 or 4 out
of the lot who could speak English, yet all were
there dressed in their white pants and blue
shirts, and a more attentive and orderly crew
you would not find anywhere.

The services commenced with a prayer and
hymn which one of the ministers had the po-
liteness to ask me to lead off — which I did in
true Unitarian style, but it was rather a quick
trot for them, as I really believe I had finished
before they were at the end of the third line,

10 HENRY BLANEY

but I had the Captain on my side, and also
half the Crew, so I put them through. The
tune was Old Hundred, and they being Meth-
odists fairly tired me out with their drawling.
After the singing one of the Ministers quoted
a passage from the Bible — " Boast not thyself
of the Morrow" and from that preached a
discourse Ex-tempore — which was very well
done. The Services were concluded by another
hymn which one of the Ministers started but
broke down — and after hemming a few times
and looking at the other Rev. — as much as to
say " what a bad cold I have," he commenced
it again and carried it through. Then with a
benediction the Services were dismissed.

Although we have had two or three very
calm days we have made good headway, our
position this day at 12 M. was Lat. 15.55
North ; Long. 29.46 West ; having made since
yesterday 12 m, which is one day, 222 miles —
we are about 800 miles from the Equator —
we are in hopes to cross it in about 22 days
if we have ordinary winds — which will be
within a day of the shortest passage ever made
from N. Yk. to the Equator. This ship hav-

HENRY BLANEY 11

ing crossed it in Feby. 1850 in 21 days from
N. Yk.i

March 31. After breakfast went forward on
the Cat Head to watch the flying fish as they rose
up from the water. It was a lovely day and as I
sat looking over the bow it seemed to me as
though we had just left Boston on a fishing ex-
cursion— the sea was about as rough as it
would be off the Castle of a pleasant day, and
while the whole horizon was obscured by a thick
mist, as is always to be found at sea near the
Equator, the sun was shining very warm —
wind N.E. — the air balmy and although we
were 250 miles S.W. Cape Verd Islands the
wind was blowing fragrant and fresh from off
the shore — a few birds were flying around us
evidently having wandered from the Island, in
search of flying fish — It is just about 9 o'clk
— (we breakfasted at 8) and I am imagining
that you are all sound asleep while I have been
up these 2 hours — I calculate it is just about
i past 5 o'clk, — 4 minutes to a degree — by
the difference in Lat. and Long, with you, and

1 The Samuel Russell later made a record of nineteen
days from Sandy Hook to the Equator.

12 HENRY BLANEY

when I turn in to sleep, — lOo'clk, — you are
just about finishing your tea, — so you see I
get the first look at the sun, and see it rise and
set, which by the way is a glorious sight at sea,
something which I have seldom seen at home
and account for it by the high buildings, not
that I don't get up early enough — Oh ! No !
While I was sitting aft on deck this morn-
ing with the Captain, one of the sailors passed
us and I noticed some lines of India Ink
pricked into his arm ; when he passed again
the Captain noticed it and called to him —
they were —

" From Rocks and Shoals and barren Laiid3
O God wilt set me free;
From Pirates Guns and Womens tongues
Good Lord deliver me ! — "

April 1. Pleasant and warm — " Tricks
upon Travellers " the order of the day.

April 2. Squally, with rain — Fine breeze —
April 3. Raining and Squally — not such
showers as we see at home — but down it comes
in one sheet. One shower lasted about 15 min-
utes — and the Captain said he caught about
2 hhds.

HENRY BLANEY 13

April 4' Rainy nearly all day ; calm — made
about 40 miles on our course — Quite an un-
pleasant affair occurred just after Tea — with
one of our passengers, Mr. A. . . . who en-
deavored to commit suicide by taking about 3
oz. laudanum. He was sitting alone at the table

— all the Gentlemen but him had left and gone
on deck ; the Ladies had retired to the after
cabin, which is separated by a partition with a
door at each end — they heard some one jump
quickly over the table to a large medicine chest
at the end of the table, and then saw him open
it, take out a bottle, put it to his mouth and
drink two swallows. The Captain knew the
bottle was full, therefore knew how much he
took — Mrs. Wiley ran to him, took the bottle
away from him, and called her husband — it
was very fortunate for Mr. A. . . . that Mr.
Wiley was a physician, or it would have gone
hard with him — he asked him why he took it
and it was a long while before he would say
anything, and seemed much disappointed that
he had been observed. Soon he began to feel
the effects of it which brought him to his senses

— " It is too late " — says he, " Capt., sew me

14 HENRY BLANEY

up and bury me tomorrow at 12 — heave the
ship to — put the flag at half mast — and read
the Church of England Service over me — "
Finally he called for a stomach pump, and
seemed very anxious to get relief — Dr. Wiley
gave him 20 grains Sulph. zinc and 20 of Sulph.
Copper to vomit him, which not producing the
desired effect, repeated the dose, which were it
not for the Laudanum would have killed him

— but in a few moments set him to vomiting

— and for half an hour kept it up continually
which relieved him much and he went to bed —
and singular as it may seem, was up and drest
the next morning before any of the rest. He
was very penitent and said he felt very foolish
for what he did — he seemed as well as ever.

April 5. At 8 o'clk a.m. it was hotter than I
ever felt it before — not a breath of air stirring

— we lay like a log on the water and the rollers
pitching us so that it was with difficulty we
could keep our feet. By the way ! the water
last night had a most splendid appearance —
covered over by brilliant little stars — called
phosphoric lights — caused by the Animalculae
in the water — We have been hovering between

HENRY BLANEY 15

2 and 4 degrees of Latitude the last 3 days —
hope for some wind by noon.

April 6. Sunday. Still very warm — a
dead calm.

April 7. Very warm with frequent showers.
Rain pours down in torrents without the least
warning, bringing with it a little breeze, which
when it ceased, would all die away again, —
Saw a few albacores.

April 8. Crossed the line at 7 o'clk this
morning — had anticipated some sport at the
event, but was disappointed, as all hands were
busy trimming sails, and a prospect of a breeze
springing up, the Captain was anxious to im-
prove it — so the boys escaped a shaving —
and maybe the passengers also. Poor Mr.
A. . . . was in agony for fear they would Bar-
ber him — and threatened all sorts of punish-
ments if they attempted it ; he said his face
was tender, and he could n't even shave himself
and certainly wouldn't trust Neptune. This
evening the North Star went down in the hori-
zon and the Southern Cross arose in the South.

April 9. Very warm day — Calm — Ther.
90 degrees in the shade. Captain treated us

16 HENRY BLANEY

to a row round the ship — it was a beautiful
sight. She lay perfectly uncontrollable in the
water, and the long rollers would pitch and
drift her about at their will — After rowing:
round once the Captain saw a squall coming
up — and put for the ship — hauled the Boat
up, and in a few moments, down came the rain
harder than I ever saw it before.

April 10. At 8 o'clk a fresh breeze sprang
up from the South and started us on our
course ; by 9 o'clk at the rate of 10 knots —
which was quite a relief after being becalmed
nearly a week.

April 11. Fine breeze ; going over 10 knots
nearly all day.

April 12. Pleasant day — going finely —
passed a ship about sun down, steering N.E.,
probably bound to England. Nothing else oc-
curred during the day to change the monot-
ony. Thermometer 70 degrees.

April 13. Sunday. Very pleasant — Had

services on deck just after dinner ; 2| o'clk,

imagined you were all at church at Morning

Service — Hope Tom1 preached you as good

1 The Rev. Thomas Starr King, — minister of Hollis Street
Church.

HENRY BLANEY 17

sermon as we had — I sang — Capt. blowed.
Our minister — Methodist — exhorting the
sailors to read the Bible, not occasionally, but
often — and in order to impress upon their
minds the importance of it in order to be
safe, told them the old story of the African
Ostrich, who, when pursued by hunters, al-
ways, after being unable to get clear, put their
heads underneath the sand, leaving their bodies
exposed, and are then caught — Jacks looked
incredulous — looked as though they could
spin a better yarn themselves. Cook looked
squint eyed — pulled his wool over his eyes
in imitation of Humbug. These services are
very unpopular with the sailors — they be-
lieve there is no good luck at sea when mis-
sionaries are on board. The ministers are
young men and very gentlemanly. Saw a ship
at daylight this morning ahead of us, going the
same way; did not speak her — in two hours
she was astern of us and out of sight.

April 14' I had the impression when I
started, that I should find enough to interest
and amuse me all the way out — but I am mis-
taken— although I have everything for my com-

18 HENRY BLANEY

fort on board, yet I am fairly tired of a Sea
Voyage — missionaries no companions — young
brat yelling — A. . . . fidgety, silly, and nerv-
ous; fairly sore from sitting — although there
is plenty room on the quarter deck to prome-
nade, yet it is not so convenient when we are
going with a 10 knot breeze, for it takes all
the time to hold on and keep on your feet. I
would give a month's salary to have a good
walk or run round Boston Common — have
almost made up my mind to go for'ard with the
sailors, and go to work with them — Now and
then come up with a vessel but go by them
just as though they were lying at anchor. Ex-
pect to be down tomorrow on the banks oppo-
site Rio Janeiro — where we shall no doubt see
some whales and whalers — weather getting
quite comfortable, growing cooler every day —
nights splendid — nearly full moon.

April 15. Fine day ; going 9 knots — feel
about the same.

April 16. Down sick with the Dysentery —
Dr. Wiley prescribed Castor Oil, Laudanum,
Dovers Powders, etc. Think it is all owing to
eating too freely of Roast Pork. The pig was

HENRY BLANEY 19

killed last Saturday, and it was brought on in
some shape every meal — as it would not keep
long, fresh. Am very partial to it, but it is too
hearty for warm weather. Dr. Wiley and Mr.
A. . . . unwell from the same cause.

April 17. Tired of lying down — drest and
went on deck ; think it as well if I keep quiet

— missed the little attentions I had when I
was sick with it before. Cannot get those little
comforts at sea which we can on shore —
weather nearly calm.

April 18. Little better today — "Wind light

— from the North — heavy rollers from the
S.W. which stops our headway. Made only 60
miles today — Lat. 23.01 South ; Long. 32.33 ;
about 630 miles from Rio Janeiro. Saw the
sun and moon yesterday rise and set at the same
time — a very beautiful sight.

April 19. Pleasant day — not much wind —
health improving.

April 20. Sunday. Fine day — no wind —
Missionaries had services on deck — about
half the sailors present — Health improving.
Saw the Magellan clouds over the Southern
Cross — always remain there stationary — Cap-

20 HENRY BLANEY

tain cross — and expect we are doomed to be
stationary —

April 21. Still calm — but about sundown
the breeze sprang up and sent us over the
water 10 knots — Steering South — 58 miles
to 12 o'clk M. this day — Lat. 28.07 South;
Long. 32.20.

April 22. Eat nearly my allowance — Al-
tered our course from South to S.E. Fresh
Breeze — going 11-i knots.

April 23. Fine day — sailed 205 miles.

April 24- Weather beginning to grow cool ;
changed my thin clothes for thick ones —
There are light clouds trying to come up from
the S.W. — but are beaten back by N.W.
winds — think it will change to S.W. soon.

April 25. Fine day but very little wind —

April 26. Wind fresh from W.N.W.—
Lat. 35.32 South; Long. 14.03 West; distance
today 203 miles — Wind directly aft and sent
us thro' the water about 10 knots — sea very
high wh. caused the vessel to roll considerably;
— have got quite smart again and begin to
enjoy the trip very much.

April 27. Sunday. At 3 o'clk a.m. the Cap-

HENRY BLANEY 21

tain came to my state room and awoke me,
and asked me if I wished to see some pretty
tall sailing, to come up on deck. The wind had
changed at 12 o'clk from W.N.W. to S.W.,
and at that time (3 o'clk), was blowing fresh.
I hurried up on deck and found the ship lying
over so that her lee rail was within a foot of the
top of the water — Just then, as they were taking
in the top gallant studding sail, it swung round
and struck the main top gallant sail, and split
it in two. I soon found there was tall sailing
indeed ; such a sight I never saw before — The
sea as far round as I could shy a biscuit was
white with foam, and it was with difficulty I
could keep my feet. Upon throwing the log,
we found she was going 13 knots, and the
noble ship did plough through the water in
gallant style. At 4, the Captain and myself
turned in. The Mate was reported to the Capt.,
as being very sick and unable to stand his
watch, and the 2nd. mate had to stand a double
one — I turned out again at 7 o'clk and found
the ship going 12 knots — owing to short'ning
sail in order to bend a new main top gallant
sail — but she soon came up again to 13 knots.

22 HENRY BLANEY

There were hundreds of Cape pigeons flying
about, as large as a duck ; albatrosses measur-
ing 10 feet to the extremity of their wings and
" stink pots " 2 about the same size without
number. There was now a prospect of making
up for the calms we had upon the Equator.
And a short passage was in prospect, — soon
to be verified. — It was a splendid day, but too
rough for the missionaries to hold forth, —
pause — The Capt. has invited me to take a
bottle Hock Wine with him — sorry — but ah
— zoell I donH care! inner man much re-
freshed — that 's me — will proceed — The
sea was running high, and covered with foam,
and was altogether the most beautiful scene I
ever saw — We had run this day 235 miles
and were in Lat. 36.21 South; Long. 9.27
West; having run within 60 miles of Tristan
d'Acunha — passed it about midnight.

April 28. Wind came round west N.W.,
directly aft and we are rolling heavily now as
I write — going about 101 knots. Amused our-
selves shooting at the Albatrosses — didn't
kill any — must have been in the powder —

1 " Stink pots " ; — also known as " boobies."

HENRY BLANEY 23

very likely — Cook advised us to elevate the
gun a little below the birds. There 's a bull —
Yes, and a blot too — but lay it to the lurching
— we have run this day 220 miles.

April 29. We are now nearly in the latitude
of the Cape, and the weather is similar to that
of Nov. 1st in feeling and appearance. I have
doffed my summer suit, and donned my winter
one — have made up my mind to experience
some severe weather. The change is so great
and the air so bracing that I have to be very
select in regard to my diet — have lately adopted
Sally's advice and have had recourse to senna
which I found in the Ship's Medicine Chest. I
find it helps me. Lat 38.20 S ; Long. 5.54 E ;
265 miles.

April 30. Still blowing fresh, with showers
of rain — No observation today — had to go by
dead reckoning — Capt. had delayed taking in
the boats thinking we should get clear of
stormy weather, but he was mistaken. About
10 o'clk, as he and myself were walking the
Quarter deck preparatory to going below, a
heavy sea dashed up on the quarter snapping
the Guy that confines one of the davits to the

24 HENRY BLANEY

boats — He immediately called all hands aft to
take them in, which was not accomplished with-
out a deal of trouble and time. During the pro-
cess some of the men had a very narrow escape
from going overboard, and losing the boats. They
had fastened one end of the boat to a tackle in
the mizzen rigging — let go the guys — and
about ten men were hauling it inboard over
the lee rail, when a sea struck her which
caused her to heel over so that it was impos-
sible to hold the boat until she was lurched
against the fore davits, and it was possible to
recover her — thanks to the strength of the
tackles — as it was, some of the men were bruised,
but not badly — it was the most unpleasant
night I ever passed, and I think none of us
slept more than two hours all night.

May 1. Lat. 38.11 Sj Long. 10 — made
185 miles — sea running very high ; the most
uncomfortable day since we have been out — I
never have felt and realized the strength and
force of the wind and waves before now — it
goes ahead of my imaginations even in my
very dreams. I lack the power of description.
I should like to be gifted with the spirit of a

HENRY BLANEY 25

G. P. R. James — Dickens or Willis for an hour,
that I might describe the scene around me —
though I am fearful that he, — G. P. R. James,
— would commence with his oft proverbial
style: — of — "The sun was just rising over
the hill when two horsemen were seen approach-
ing at a brisk trot," but that would hardly be
applicable to our present situation. It would
be more like if I were to alter it to : — " The
sun was just going down behind a large black
cloud, when a person was seen in the Cabin of
a Ship, holding on with one hand to the table,
and attempting to write with the other" — but
the scene is so new and so different from my
wildest imaginations, that I lack the power of
describing it.

Another squall has struck us and I must
give up journalizing.

Around me everything is in commotion —
the ship's lee rail is laying over even with the
water. All sails are set, including the wind-
ward studding sails alow and aloft. The sky
sails were fortunately lowered upon deck two
days ago. The Captain is upon the Quarter
deck, giving his orders in a rapid and thun-

26 HENRY BLANEY

dering tone, which are repeated by the three
mates, who with the sailors are distributed
about different parts of the ship. The "Watch
below have just been ordered up, as is custom-
ary in case of emergency, and are taking in
studding sails, with all possible despatch —
but before that is completed, one sail is split
and one boom broke short off to the yard. The
other sails are left to their fate, as these clippers
carry on as long as possible, and with the top-
masts bending like bows, we are sailing — with
the wind on our quarter — through the water
like mad, at the rate of 14 knots per hour. It
is a splendid sight to me and one which I en-
joy, to see the sea running higher than our
house — home phrase — all around us, rushing
and plunging, and seeming to do its utmost to
overwhelm the ship — now and then breaking
over and leaving a foot of water upon the
deck. Then it is difficult for the men to move
about from one place to another — they are
well experienced and watch their chances with
the roll of the ship. Often pieces of plank
break loose and go back and forth with the
rush of the water making it a shin-breaking

HENRY BLANEY 27

business to move about. One of our boys a
day or two since, was so unfortunate as to lose
his hold and slide across the deck to leeward
with such force as to nearly break his ankle —
but it was found upon examination to be only
sprained. One of the reverends, a 6 feet 2
Chap took a launch to leeward this morning,
catching hold of one of the steerage doors in
his course, which broke from its fastenings,
and away he went into the lee scuppers. I hap-
pened to come on deck just in time to see him
pick himself out from under a spare spar, for
all the world like a drowned rat, and consol-
ing himself with the remark, — that " Such is
life," as he went below to seek consolation
from his more fortunate brethren and a dry
shirt. It is amusing to see a regular salt and
a green horn in one of these fetchaways. Old
Jack, when he finds himself going, always
snuggles himself into as small a compass as
possible, puts himself into a sort of squatty-
bumbo position which is amusing to the spec-
tators, and embarrassing to himself.

May 2. We find ourselves today in Lat.
38 — ; Long 15.43 East; having made the

28 HENRY BLANEY

good run of 265 miles — Still blowing fresh,
and going round the Cape of Good Hope — with
a 12 knot breeze and a strong head current.

May 3. Blowing fresh, and a head current
— frequent showers rain. Lat 38.42 S ; —
Long. 20.51 — 250 miles.

May 4' Sunday. Sea subsiding — going
10 and 11 knots — still with a strong head
current against us, and frequent squalls — No
probability of seeing a sail (unless we over-
take one), until we get nearly to Anjer, as
those going west keep within a dozen miles of
the Cape in going round, and then head for
St. Helena — while we steer directly East for
St. Pauls and then up to Anjer Point. Had
heavy hail storm last night, took in all the
light sails, and double reefed the topsails. Blew
a hurricane all day and at night had to tie my-
self into my bed for fear of suddenly finding
myself on the floor.

May 5. Temperature much warmer — sea
and wind quite calm.

May 6. Lat. 37.25 S. — Long. 34.07 East.
228 miles. Find ourselves about 25 miles north
of yesterday's observation, and much warmer.

HENRY BLANEY 29

May 7. Lat 37.34 S. — Long. 37.17 E.
158 Miles — quite calm all the morning, but
in the afternoon a 7 knot breeze sprang up.

May 8. Going at a moderate rate, about 7
knots, Nothing unusual occurred worth relat-
ing. Lat. 37.58 — Long. 40.39 ; — East 7
degrees S.,1 165 miles.

May 9. Blowing fresh nearly aft. Ship rolls
heavily. Mr. A. . . . was so unfortunate as to
get a lurch to leeward, sprained both ankles,
one badly — his mind has much improved and
he makes good company.

May 10. Made 12 knots an hour up to 12
midnight — wind then died away to a calm. 7
knot breeze commenced at 8 a.m. Made at 12
o'clk 224 miles ; find ourselves in Lat 39.04 —
Long. 50.53 having made an E. 3 degrees S.
course.

May 11. Sunday. Head the report 1851
of the Seaman's Aid Society — quote from the
Title Page — " Would you promote the pres-
ent as well as the future happiness of the poor
— Give them employment in the place of

1 The entry in the Journal is written as above. " East 7
degrees S.," indicates the course sailed.

30 HENRY BLANEY

charity, that by lessening their dependence —
You thereby increase their self-respect."

Quote from Psalms 49.18 — "Men will
praise thee when thou doeth well to thyself."

Quote from Alton Locke : " But gin ye do
weel by yoursel, saith the Psalmist, ye '11 find
a' men speak well o' ye — if ye gang their gate."

Quere ! The Psalmist was minded to denote
the delights of spending borrowed siller.

May 12. "Weather fine — jogging slowly —
Such is life — Here today and there tomorrow.

May 13. Cloudy — breeze freshening, made
200 miles today — we are about 600 miles
west St. Pauls — improving my leisure time
by studying Spanish — find excellent oppor-
tunity to practice with some of the sailors —
having nearly every language on board.

May lJj-. Fine breeze up to 12 M. — made
285 miles — the best day's run since we have
been out — find ourselves in Lat. 39.13 —
Long. 69.59 — Wind died away at noon.

May 15. Been going 13 and 14 knots since 12
midnight. At 8 a.m. — threw the log and ran
the line entirely off the reel, going over 14 knots
— strong N.W. wind — made only 237 miles.

HENRY BLANEY 31

May 16. Passed St. Pauls 2 a.m. blowing a
gale — At daybreak, dressed and went on deck,
as the vessel was laboring and rolling heavily,
and it was more comfortable on deck than
below. The wind was still blowing a gale, and
now and then I could see a terrible roller larger
than the rest come rushing and tumbling on,
higher than the others and soon the huge mass
would break over the stern or quarter of the
ship, and dash her with terrible force on her
way, to be succeeded by another perhaps still
larger — who t]»at has heard once, can forget
the sea moan of the wind in its rushing course
through the rigging of a ship. It is grand, yet
truly fearful. We had hardly canvas enough
spread upon the whole ship to make a main
top sail. The fore and mainmast each bore only
a single sail, — close reefed. The sky sail yards
were down — the boats safely housed upon the
quarter deck — not a man was aloft, as the
Capt. took care to have no occasion, before
the storm was upon us. Still I had no fear as
to the termination of the gale, for I had every
confidence in the Capt. — and a trump of a
fellow he is too — He knew his course, and

32 HENRY BLANEY

was as cool and collected as though he was in
his own house ashore. Nothing would have
saved us had we but touched a reef, or come in
contact with another vessel larger than ours.

Made 270 miles this day.

May 17. Cold — raw — windy day — made
240 miles.

May 18. Sunday. Do. Do. Wind aft, ship
rolling very heavily — 236 miles Lat. 35.17 —
Long. 89.44.

May 19. Made 195 miles — light west
winds — getting accustomed to my sea life —
comfortable but tedious — have gained about
10 lbs.

May 20. Lat. 32.33 — Long. 95.54 —Made
only 163 miles — weather very pleasant —
Thermometer 67 noon — shade — Since I
have been out, have divided my day's employ-
ment and recreation as follows — Arose about
sunrise, — when the weather was suitable took
a salt water bath ; — walked the quarter deck
till about breakfast time — ; 8 o'clk, — After
which, lounge on deck till about 9i o'clk when
I take to my Spanish — study till about 12^
o'clk. By that time the Capt. has worked up

HENRY BLANEY 33

his reckoning ; — the chart is taken out upon
tlie table, and we comment upon the ship's pro-
gress — currents — winds, etc., till 1 — when
the steward lays the cloth for dinner, which, at
1| o'clk is ready to be served up. Which
being completed, we disperse to different parts
of the ship where our fancy wills us — occa-
sionally I go aloft to look around — but often
look in vain for something new, — As far as the
eye can reach — nothing is seen but one vast
circle of water, with myself apparently left
alone except for the few visible beings below
me — with here and there a stray bird — it
puts me in mind of the painting of the last
man, all others swept from the face of the
earth by famine and deluge — and there I sit
for an hour thinking of what I was and what
I am — what I have been and what I will be.
The rest of the afternoon I consume in reading,
having plenty of books with me — some a pre-
sent from James Lawrence and Mr. Wolcott,
and about $100. worth sent out by Redding &
Co.,1 of which I have the use, with also a few

1 George W. Redding & Co., " periodical depot," 8 State
Street, Boston.

34 HENRY BLANEY

sent by Mr. Parker — at A. A. L. & Bro. for
his brother Frank. Sometimes when the weather
is smooth, we have games on deck — joined by
the Captain and rest of the passengers — the
evening is spent by spinning yarns on deck,
reading in the Cabin, or studying Spanish — At
times we present a busy group — Mr. A. . . .
and Dr. Wiley studying French, Mr. Colder
reading old sermons and writing new ones, the
Capt. looking over his chart, writing up his
log — or reading some of my books, of which
I have given him the privilege.

May 21. Fine breeze from the N.W. rather
an unexpected quarter, as we are in the track
of the S.E. trades ; made 230 miles — Lat.
29.54 Long. 98.56 ; have run since we left New
York, 12,834 miles, and being 68 days out,
have averaged 188^ miles, which is very fair,
considering the winds we have had and not
having reefed our topsails but once since we
have been out, and not had a 10 knot breeze
more than 12 hours at a time.

May 22. In Lat. 26.16 Long. 100.56 dis-
tance — 248 miles. At 12 M. going about 12
knots. At 1, — a shower sprang up from the

HENRY BLANEY 35

south, passed over, and left the wind light from
that quarter.

May 23. At 3 a.m. the wind veered round
to the S.E., and at sunrise we began to go 10
knots with the first of the regular trades —
The wind in this lat. commences to blow from
that quarter all the year round.1 As soon as
the men had got their breakfast, they com-
menced clearing up and washing out under the
Top Gallant Fore-Castle, — preparatory to get-
ting out the chain cable and cat-heading the
anchor, which soon began to have the appear-
ance of approaching Java Head : Sun rose this
a.m. 6| o'clk and set 5| o'clk.

May 2Jf. Weather very pleasant — at noon
quite warm ; 238 miles.

May 25. Sunday. Fine weather with strong
trades; 1|- knot current setting down New
Holland Straits.2 Had it not been for that,
should have made our best days work. Made
275 miles.

May 26. Wind headed us off at midnight,

1 That is, in this latitude a Teasel enters the zone of the
southeast trades.

2 New Holland Straits, — one of the Eastern Passages ; —
this name is not used on modern charts.

36 HENRY BLANEY

but still blew fresh with squalls — expected
still to feel the current from N. H. Straits, and
the Capt. was surprised to find at noon, when
he took the sun, that we had passed through
them. The sails have been close hauled, and
getting to windward as much as possible. We
are Lat. 11.22 South ; Long. 104.50 E. Made
230 miles. About 4 p.m. Capt. discovered land
about 4 points on the lee bow, which proved to
be Christmas Island ; he immediately took the
sun, and found we were out of our reckoning
— We are about 50 miles further east, and
about 25 miles S.E. of the Island. To me it
seemed a great mistake, but the Capt. said it
was quite a common occurrence to be from 30
to 75 miles out of the way, when not making
land for so long a time ; this being the first we
had seen since leaving N. Yk. It was favor-
able that it was to the windward ; had it been
to leeward, would have given us a great deal
of trouble to have made J. Head,1 as there is
a strong current setting through there to the
Westward.
May 27. Made Palambang Point at noon

1 J. Head, i.e., Java Head.

HENRY BLANEY 37

this day, distant about 20 miles, this is a
promontory on the main land of Java. Wind
moderate from the S.W., at 4 p.m. died away,
and left us becalmed with a 2 knot current
setting to Eastward. This was rather dis-
couraging after having a good breeze to within
30 miles Java Head, to leave us within sight
of Anchorage. About sundown the Capt.
set his course due W. and at daybreak found
he had run about 25 miles. He then altered
his course due North — which in 3 hours car-
ried us within 10 miles of Java Head, a high
headland which we could see very plainly. "We
lay all day in about that position, with hardly
wind enough to stir a ripple on the water, and
the sun scorching. We amused ourselves in
catching with a net, small shells floating on the
water, Crabs, water snakes, etc., — specimens
of which the ladies preserved. We had a rain
squall last night, and I had the pleasure of
seeing, and happily not feeling, the influence
of a water spout. It passed just astern of us,
and we could distinctly hear the rushing of
the water as it was drawn up into the clouds,
though it would be impossible for a close ob-

38 HENRY BLANEY

server to tell whether the water went up or
down even if it had been daylight.

May 28. At daylight Princes Island bore
N.E. 16 miles distant — Calm all day —
Amused ourselves in the course of the day
watching the water snakes rising to the top of
the water. They were from li to 3 ft. long,
colored, and with something which had the ap-
pearance of rattles like a rattle snake — they
would swim up to the side of the vessel on the
top of the water, and then swim back without
turning round, as though they had a head on
each end of their body, and in fact, they did
not taper off at the tail, but both ends ap-
peared to be of equal size.

May 29. In the Straits Sunda — becalmed
all day — Very warm. A man at the wheel
about noon today was sun struck — he would
have fallen had he not been just able to call
out to the Capt. who happened to be upon the
quarter deck. He was bled and in the course
of the day entirely recovered.

May SO. At 10i a.m. — hove in sight
Anjer, and were beset by a number of Malay
boats, manned by from 3 to 15 wretched look-

HENRY BLANEY 39

ing Malays, some of whom were entirely naked,
who set up such a holloing and jabbering that
it was difficult for the mates to hear the Cap-
tain's orders. As soon as they reached us they
fastened their boats along side, and were anx-
ious for the Capt. to trade. He told them he
would not till he came to anchor. This did not
silence them, for they redoubled their cries and
yells, when finding we still persisted in not
trading for their cargo — (which consisted of
yams, bananas, eggs, chickens, cocoa nuts, or-
anges, etc.,) they started off for another vessel
which was coming up in sight. Presently the
principal man of the Malays — " Penn " — as
he is called, came off dressed in his regiment-
als, blue frock coat with brass buttons — white
pantaloons fastened over the hips by a leather
belt with a brass buckle. He is a small sized,
intelligent looking man, of about 40 years of
age, and about as large as our George — He
was very polite, shook hands with the Capt.
and passed his book to me to examine. It is
customary for all vessels which stop there to
insert their names, where bound, and the num-
ber of days from port of departure, the names of

40 HENRY BLANEY

the passengers, or any message which they wish
to leave for other Captains bound up the China
Sea. Our Capt. had made a bet with the Capt.
of the Ariel,1 who was bound to Canton, on the
number of days out. The forfeit was to be li
dozen fat ducks. Although the Ariel left N. Yk.
the Sunday previous to us, we arrived at Anjer
before them ; — not finding her name upon
"Penn's" books, we ordered the ducks to be
paid for by Capt. Brewster of the Ariel, upon
his arrival at Anjer, with a message — " if he
caught up with us he might have them." The
stores we were in want of, were inserted in
" Penn's " books — amounting to about -$60.,
with directions to get them off as soon as pos-
sible, as there were 3 ships coming around the
point, — 1 an American which the Capt. was
fearful might prove to be the Ariel. He or-
dered 5 dozen nice chickens, 80 cents a dozen ;
20 picul yams similar to potatoes; (picul,
133^ lbs ;) onions, bananas, cocoa nuts ; (Or-

1 " The Ariel, 572 tons, was built by John Currier at
Newburyport in 1S46, for Minot & Hooper, of Boston. This
ship became celebrated in the China trade, and was bought
by N. L. & Q. Griswold, and has a record of ninety days
from Canton to New York."

HENRY BLANEY 41

anges poor), Eggs, etc. By the time the ship
was anchored and everything snug, dinner was
ready — of which we all partook lightly, hav-
ing lost our appetites with the prospect of going
ashore. By the time dinner was finished, we
found one of the boats on the davits ready with
a flag nicely spread aft. Two of the ladies took
their seats, (one being left to keep the baby in
tune,) the boat lowered, hauled to the gang-
way where the male passengers took their seats,
and with five oars were quickly rowed ashore,
wh. laid about a mile from the Ship. We passed
in between two dykes — about 25 feet apart,
formed by spiles driven into the mud — about
20 rods, and landed at the stone stairs — we
were beset by about 50 Malays, men, women
and children — and a Malay Custom House
officer with drawn sword — whom I think could
all have been easily disposed of by a stout reso-
lute American with a good stick. We were
permitted to land without hesitation by a word
to the officer from "Penn." This port is the
2nd. in size of the three on the Island of Java
— it is situated on the west — Batavia at the
north — and Sourabaya on the East. This is

42 HENRY BLANEY

the town — Sourabaya, — where Mrs. Eaton
— Geo. Patten's J sister, resides. Mr. Eaton,
as the principal American Merchant in the
place, — has become wealthy, and intends this
summer to return to Mass. and take up his
permanent residence. This island belongs to the
Dutch, and is manned by one company of
Dutch and one of Malay, with 4 heavy Can-
non. We passed over a bridge, and were per-
mitted to visit the Fort, barracks, etc. but as
the Governor was taking his afternoon nap —
we were obliged to be our own guides. We
found everything in the neatest order, and
would have done credit to our Navy Yards. As
our time was very short, we had to hurry, and
therefore could not examine everything per-
fectly. We then recrossed the Canal, and found
the only shop in the place tended by three
Chinamen, but owned and under the direction
of " Penn." There we found everything in
" European Style." After taking a glass of
wine, by the Captain's invitation, we walked
down the main road lined on one side by fine

1 George W. Patten, of the firm of Jamea Patten & Co.,
Importers, 40 South Market Street, Boston.

HENRY BLANEY 43

Dutch buildings surrounded by Gardens, and
on the other by the seashore, where we saw a
bath house with the letters of " Bath House
for Ladies & Gentlemen " upon it. This walk
was about the width, before it sloped to the
shore, of Broadway — N. Yk., and in fine order.
We walked about a quarter mile, and came
round to the stairs through the Malay portion
of the village. We found the streets very nar-
row, the houses, small, low and some of them
in poor condition. We saw a few Cocoa Nut
trees, with tame Buffaloes grazing under them,
as quietly as cows, and here and there a miser-
able looking dog who looked as though 't would
take half dozen of them to lean against a tree
to get up a bark. We passed through a num-
ber of low sheds which was called their market
— the principal article for sale seemed to be
the Betel nut, which is chewed by the natives
the same as Europeans chew tobacco. We
found a great many things to excite our curi-
osity about a brick building in the course of
erection. We found no one at work, as it is a
custom there to work early in the morning and
late in the afternoon, to avoid the hot sun.

44 HENRY BLANEY

Instead, like the Europeans, building their stag-
ing on the outside, they build theirs on the
inside which looks most as awkward as com-
mencing at the top and building down. As we
passed the houses some of the occupants would
bring articles to sell, and I saw a pair of China
Tea pots offered to one of the ladies for 75
cents. After examining a few of the strange
sights, we passed on our way to the landing
and noticed some women with a child in one
arm, and leading a monkey with a string, and
it occurred to me that the monkeys received
more attention than the children, who are left
to wander where they wished, some of them en-
tirely naked. Having arrived at the boat, we
put off for the ship and found all our stores
hoisted on board, which was expeditiously done
in the short space of an hour. The boat was
hoisted in with the Ladies, the mate directed
to get sail on the ship and weigh the anchor ;
which was accomplished in a short time, and
we passed on our way up the Java Sea be-
tween two small Islands called the "But-
ton" and "Cap," — with a strong 10 knot
breeze.

HENRY BLANEY 45

May 31. Fine 10 knot breeze up the Java
Sea — At daylight discovered 2 sail ahead of
us, one an English ship which had been be-
calmed at Anjer about a week. She was filled
with English Troops bound for Hong Kong,
the same port as ourselves. At sundown, it be-
ing impossible to make the entrance to Gaspar
Strait, anchored till morning.

June 1. Sunday. At sunrise, discovered
land ahead, which proved to be an Island at
the entrance of Gaspar Straits ; got under
weigh, and passed through with a 12 knot
breeze and 4 knot current against us, in com-
pany with an English Opium Brig. Clipper.
Just before we got to the entrance of the
Straits, the Leadsman in the main channel
cried out 5 fathoms water (30 feet). This took
us all aback — as our vessel draws about 20
feet. The Capt. instantly ordered the helm
hard up, and the water soon deepened to 6 —
7 — 10 — 15 fathoms. We stood that course
about two miles, and then steered our course
again through the Straits. We soon came up to
the Brig, passed her about half mile off, and
at sun set she was hull down. At noon passed

46 HENRY BLANEY

on the east side Gaspar Island, and within a
quarter of a mile.

June, 2. Fine day — Thermometer 99 at
noon — with a seven knot breeze.

June 3. Passed West Island, on the west
side. Near this place is where a Swedish Brig,
about a year since, was attacked by Malay Pi-
rates in three boats ; — two of them were sunk
by cannon shots, and a good breeze springing
up — she ran over and sunk the third. About
noon we were becalmed, and as is customary
with vessels bound up the China Sea, the pow-
der was got out ; our two cannon were shotted
and ready in case of emergency. This precau-
tion was deemed necessary, more to satisfy the
Insurance Companies in case of loss, than for
self-preservation.

June 4' Wind calm — Thermometer 90 de-
grees— but felt much warmer as the weather
was sultry. My health A. No. 1. Face getting
quite moon like. Hark there is the dinner bell
— expect to have one of the turtles which was
procured at Anjer served up today — one, the
Capt. is going to keep for dinner on the 4th.
July, and has invited me to come down to

HENRY BLANEY 47

Whampoa — 12 miles from Canton, where the
vessel lays, to partake — The people told the
Sexton and the Sexton tolled the bell.

" Dinner ready, Jfassa Bany ; Turtle git-
tin* cold."

June 5. Crew busy scrubbing paint inside
and outside. Decks to be scrubbed and holy
stoned, rigging tarred down, and the hull to
be painted outside, to look well when we
arrive in port. Saw a great many snakes
such as I have described — floating by on
the top of the water — some three or four feet
long.

June 6. Still calm ; only made 45 miles.
Saw a number Cuttle fish floating by, the bone
of which is frequently given to Canary birds.

June 7. Vessel did not move at all last
night, and at 9 a.m. was going only one knot.
Thermometer at 10 a.m. in the shade, 98 de-
grees, — getting towards China weather.

June 8. Sunday. Very pleasant weather.
Towards noon, little breeze from the west —
made only twenty two miles.

June 9. Still calm.

June 10. Fine breeze sprang up varying at

48 HENRY BLANEY

times from the S.W. to S.S.E ; — made 180
miles.

June 11. Same wind — with frequent heavy
squalls. Some of them the Capt. said, were the
heaviest he ever saw. I took a shower bath this
evening, which was very fine. The water was
very luminous, and as it was thrown over me
it seemed like one sheet of fire. The vessel's
path was one broad track of light, and to
heighten the interest of the phenomenon,
crowds of porpoises were playing about in dif-
ferent directions, their tracks a living flame.
They would shoot out, and leave a train of
light thirty feet ; now darting back and pursu-
ing each other round and round, till the path
appeared a tangled skein of light.

June 12. Going the same rate with a fresh
breeze directly aft, passed at sunrise three
Chinese Junks bound to Canton. We were
not near enough to speak them — they were
going about 4 knots while we were going
10 knots. This evening a large bird of the
duck species flew on board, probably attracted
by our binnacle light. It was called a booby.
We fastened a placard round its neck with the

HENRY BLANEY 49

ship's name, and when and where taken, then
let him go.

June 13. Capt. took an observation at 12 m.
and found we had made 185 miles — 190 miles
from an Island called the " Asses Ears," and
230 miles from Hong Kong. Our barometer
had fallen from 29.65 to 29.30, the lowest since
we had been out, which indicated a heavy
storm. The skysail and royal yards were sent
down, and towards sundown it began to blow
fresh from the S.W. Double reefs were taken
in all the three topsails, all the other sails
furled and everything made snug.

June lJf. Still blowing fresh. Just before
daybreak had a very severe shower — at sun-
rise the wind increased to a hurricane ; we lay
to under close reefed topsails till noon, when
the wind moderated, and we stood in shore;
we made land about sundown, but as the heav-
ens still show signs of a blow, Capt. thought it
advisable to tack ship and stand off. He short-
ened sail so as to run about a knot an hour.

June 15. Sunday. At sunrise, still blowing
fresh and raining — laid to till noon, when we
stood in shore again, anxious to get a pilot.

50 HENRY BLANEY

The Capt. would not have had any fear of
running in close to land if he had a pilot, but
thought it hazardous to risk it without one.
The pilots are frequently seen 20 miles from
land, but as it had been blowing heavy a num-
ber of days, were afraid to venture out. We
made the " Asses Ears " again, this p.m. Stood
in to within 20 miles of it, but at sundown no
pilot in sight — tacked ship and stood off
again.

June 16. At midnight cleared off and the
moon came out. Clear and bright ; stood in
for land and at day break it clouded up again,
and looked as though we were to have a repe-
tition of yesterday's weather. At 8 o'clk a.m.
made the land again, at the distance of 20
miles. We felt quite encouraged at the pros-
pect of getting a pilot, and of soon seeing Hong
Kong, but were doomed to continued disap-
pointment. At 11 a.m. a dead calm ; sent up
our royal and sky sail yards to get the benefit
of the best breeze. At 12 M. the sun just dis-
cernible. Capt. took a sight and found us to
be 10 miles from land, — but it was cloudy
and could not see it.

HENRY BLANEY 51

June 17. Little breeze sprang up and we
stood in, hoping to get sight at a fisherman or
pilot. Our hopes began to diminish, when the
mate from the top gallant forecastle discovered
a boat putting towards us, this was quite en-
couraging and we stood for it, but a squall
sprang up and added to our innumerable mis-
fortunes by shutting it out from our view. Soon
it cleared up, and made out the boat about a
mile ahead, hove to for us to come up, when
they threw us a line, and one of the party came
on board, dressed in India rubber pants, thin
black linen frock, and a large bamboo hat
shaped like a parasol. He shew the Capt. his
book of recommendations, and waited quietly
for him to state his wishes. The conversation
was as follows — Capt., " you take ship in
Hong Kong" — Pilot, "very well — I take
you in." Capt., " How much you charge ? "
Pilot, " How much you pay last time?" Capt.,
" Fifteen dollars " — Pilot, " very good — I
take you safe," he manifested considerable
shrewdness, and I was surprised to see how
intelligent he was.

As we neared the land we noticed several

52 HENRY BLANEY

vessels coming out, bound to Shanghae — Cal-
ifornia and England. The Islands look splen-
didly with the setting sun shining upon them,
and had the appearance of copper. We ran in
to within a stone's throw of one called the
Camel's Island, which looked beautiful with a
heavy stream of water running down from the
top of the rock. The wind dying away but the
tide setting in, we kept on our course between
the Islands, although a number of ships had
run under the land, and anchored.

June 18. Just before daybreak, we noticed
lights ahead on shore, which our pilot informed
us was Hong Kong, and at daybreak we an-
chored within a half dozen ship's lengths from
the shore. It was a pleasant sight to us after
being knocked round on the water for 92 days.
Soon a boat came off, and Geo. Haskell — son
of Coolidge & Haskell, Boston, and brother in
Law of Henry Burdett, Boston, jumped on
board, and I was glad to see him looking so
finely. Instead of our bringing him the paper
of the latest dates, March 13th., he shew us
one of 8th of April, and in it I noticed addi-
tional trouble with the negroes of Boston, and

HENRY BLANEY 53

Fletcher Webster being arrested for stopping
a watchman from ringing a bell, etc.

At 8 a.m. went on shore in a Sampan Boat
pulled by 2 women, which work is nearly all
done by them. Presented my letter of intro-
duction to the Am. Consul, F. T. Bush, Esq.,
a Boston gentleman, but who had resided in
Hong Kong for the last 8 years, who soon made
me feel at home, and kindly invited me to stop
and dine with him, which I accepted. Mr.
Schwermann, the resident partner of Wolcott
Bates & Co., Canton, had been waiting there
for me 3 or 4 days, and had the day before
started for Canton and left instructions for me
to join him as soon as possible, as he was very
busy and needed assistance. By the advice of
Mr. Bush, stopped at his house that night, and
at 8 the next morning [June 19] started for
Canton in the steamer, as I was fearful the
ship would be detained by calms on the way
up. At 5 p.m. steamer arrived at Canton.
Small boats were immediately along side, eager
to take us ashore, and in a few moments more,
with my trunk, I was dodging from one line of
junks to another in a tanka boat similar to a

54 HENRY BLANEY

Sampan, with a screened apartment in the Cen-
tre, and propelled by two women, now with
oars and now with long bamboo poles, and now
with hands as they seized the sides of a line of
anchored vessels riding in the stream, until we
reached the stone steps in the garden, and op-
posite the American Hongs — otherwise called
the factories.

I soon found my future home, and intro-
duced myself to Mr. Schwermann, whom I
found quite a gentleman, and soon I felt as
much at home as though I had resided there
some time.

Our house is a new four story brick build-
ing, about the size of your main house, with
the exception of ours being a story higher ; and
furnished as fine as any house I have seen in
Boston. I found my room all ready, and fur-
nished at the expense of the House, — all the
furniture being made of Camphor Wood which
is very fine. There are at present stopping with
us, 1 Spanish Gent., the Owner of a ship wh.
we are loading for Manila, 1 German Capt.,
and a Mr. Rice, a Boston Gent., nephew of the
Burroughs, who used to reside in Hollis St.

HENRY BLANEY 55

June 19 {and later). At dinner, which is at 31
o'clk, Mr. Schwermann took his seat at one
end of the table and placed me opposite him,
as my future seat to assist him in doing the
honors. The 3 Portuguese under clerks — dine
at an earlier hour and at another table. I
never saw a table better provided for or better
waited upon — by six Chinese servants sur-
passing any I have seen in the U.S.

The sensation of awakening for the first
time in a strange place is usually a disagree-
able one with me, — there is an unfamiliar
newness of everything around and an absence
of Old Associations, and it has caused me to
feel, ever since I have arrived, very blue, but
think I shall feel differently when I become
acquainted with the manners and customs of
the place.

The mosquitoes never seem to tire of me,
and despise such proverbs as " Too much of a
good thing " or " Enough is as good as a
feast," — even now while I am writing I am
duly armed with a towel whirling round my
head — whack, whack, — to keep off the tor-
mentors. You can imagine what quantity of

56 HENRY BLANEY

resolution and perseverance — whack, whack,
— I take to pen you these lines.

I have made several visits outside the Fac-
tory walls to the Chinese shops, and found a
great many interesting things. I visited a por-
trait room, and saw some very fine paintings
and portraits — the Chinese are considered
fine copyists1 and copy a picture, or take a
portrait very faithfully. I heard a story of one
of them, — A lady was having her portrait
drawn ; as the work proceeded she expressed
her strong disapprobation at the performance.
" S'pose," said the painter, " you smile a little,
he lookee better " — 't was useless, for when
the pigeon — (difficult for the Chinese to pro-
nounce business, and they substitute the Anglo-
Chinese) — was done, her indignation was so
great and so disagreeably expressed that the
irritated artist exclaimed, " If handsome face
no got, how handsome can make ? "

The effect of seeing the better class of
Chinese, the Brokers, who are dressed in pure

1 Mr. Blaney later commissioned a Chinese artist to make
for him a portrait of Lady Blessington. This painting is
now in the possession of his son, Mr. Dwight Blaney, of
Boston.

HENRY BLANEY 57

white dresses reaching to the ground, is very-
singular, and they might be taken for monkeys,
but for the different locality of their tails' ori-
gin.

I have not seen any of the Chinese Ladies,
but have passed them in their covered chairs
or Palanquins. They live entirely excluded
from foreign eyes. They have a queer habit
on retiring to rest, of softening their nails in
warm water, and then winding round their
wrists to prevent being injured.

The men and women are great opium smok-
ers, but the upper class here smoke in secret —
just as many an old lady at home takes a quiet
Cordial, and throws the blame of a consequent
red nose upon the effects of the Sun.

It may be interesting to you for me to note
the 10 commandments of the Buddhists — the
Chinese principal religion — the first five being
obligatory upon the people — the last five upon
the priesthood only.

1st — Do not kill animals.
2nd — Do not steal.
3rd — Do not commit adultery.
4th — Do not tell lies.

58 HENRY BLANEY

5th — Do not drink ardent spirits.
6th — Do not rise before daylight.
7th — Do not eat anything from midday

till past midnight.
8th — Do not sleep on a place more than

one cubit high.
9th — Do not anoint your body with frag-
rant oil or powder.
10th — Do not look at a female, nor at

theatrical exhibitions.
The "Samuel Russell" will probably leave
Whampoa, 12 miles below Canton — on the
1st of July, and I find the time very short as
I am very busy, and must leave out consider-
able which I wish to write you, and will post-
pone it till some future occasion.

This, Dear Sally, I send you thinking it
might be interesting, or for future reference ;
you will no doubt find some difficulty in mak-
ing out some of this writing, but if you come
across any tough words, skip them and jump
at conclusions.

Tell George I want him to be sure and write
me every chance he can get — he must not be
fearful of writing too large a one, as the ex-

HENRY BLANEY 59

pense by vessel is nothing, and he had better
take all parcels to Geo. Patten in South Mar-
ket St., as he has kindly offered to forward any
packages to me by first vessel.

I trust that you and the rest will not forget
to write me occasionally, and keep me posted
up in the current events of the day.

Capt. Bradbury,1 I am sorry to find, does
not come here from California, but goes to
Shanghae — Therefore do not expect to see
him this voyage.

I shall keep up a regular correspondence with
Joseph and hope soon to hear from or see him.
I wrote you from Anjer and left it to be sent
by the first vessel bound home. And also to
Joseph Whitney — (shall write to him again)
and also to Geo. Patten from here.

Tell Mother I will send her the present I
promised in time for the warm weather next
summer, as if I sent it now it would not reach
her till Oct., and would not be of service then.

Give my regards to Molly and the rest of

1 Captain Bradbury was one of the old captains in the
China trade, and commanded the N. B. Palmer for one voy-
age. Later he was a commander in the Pacific Mail Steam-
ship Company for many years.

60 HEXRY BLAXEY

the gals — and tell them I will send a " Cum-
shaw'* — present — one of these days, and also
to Boh Bob if he is a good boy.

My regards to David — William — Charles
and George, and should be pleased to receive
a line from them at any time.

Tell Abby I should not be surprised to see
her boy grown up and out this way before I
come back ! —

In short give my regards to all enquiring
friends, and apologize on account of abrupt
departure to those whom I failed to call upon.

By this same conveyance shall write a line
to Father.

From your affectionate Brother,

HJE2TRY.

As it is impossible for you to send "Spry" to
me at present, I hope soon to have him with
me as those kind of dogs are a great prize here.
Ask. if agreeable, to send a wag of his tail,
and give him an extra bone to polish at my
expense.

I have just opened a keg Cranberries which
was sent out by Mr. Wolcott in the " Samuel

HENRY BLAXEY 61

Russell" to Mr. Sehwermann — The water had
leaked out and they were consequently de-
stroyed. It was unfortunate, as they would
have been a great treat here.

Please excuse the horrid state in which I
send this, but I am much pressed for time and
cannot copy it.

22 days to the Line.

50 " " " Cape Good Hope.

64 " " St. Paul's.

77 " " Anjer.

92 " " Hong-Kong.

JOURNAL FROM SHANGHAE TO
NEW YORK

JOURNAL

FROM SHANGHAE TO NEW YORK
SHIP "MANDARIN"

CAPTAIN T. C. STODDARD

February 18, 1853

LEFT Shanghae in a Chinese fast boat in
company with Saml. Robertson, Esq., and
J. Lord, Jr., for the ship "Mandarin" which
had gone down to Wosung the day previous.
About a mile from Wosung finding Mr. Lord
slightly tinged with the blues, Mr. R. called
his boat alongside and he and myself got into
it leaving Mr. L. alone, stretched in an arm
chair with an inclination to sleep. Soon after
going on board Mr. R.'s boat, his boy spread
a clean napkin upon the bed, with cold mutton
chops, Beer, etc. of which we partook ; our ap-
petites being nicely set. At 1\ o'clk arrived
at Wosung, and went on board the Opium Ship
" Science " Capt. Roundy, whom we found on

66 HENRY BLANEY

board together with C. W. Orne, and C. M.
Moulton, Esqes., who had just finished their
dinner and had been waiting for us. The wine
was passed round, songs sung, healths drunk,
etc. until 10 o'clk when after wishing all good-
bye, with a pleasant and speedy Voyage in re-
turn, started in company with S. Robertson,
Esq., for the Ship " Mandarin " wh. lay about
three miles below the shipping, where we ar-
rived safe. The wind blowing very fresh ac-
companied with Snow and Hail, Mr. R., after
wishing me a speedy voyage, returned to the
" Science " with a fair wind. I turned in soon
after arriving on board and arose the next
morning at 8 o'clk. The weather still very cold
with an occasional squall of snow.

At 3 p.m. at first of ebb tide made sail and
hove up our anchors. A strong N. Wester
blowing at 6 p.m. The Chinese pilot refusing
to take the responsibility of going out that
night, advised the Capt. to anchor till morning,
but he not being so inclined, hove to, discharged
the pilot, and started again to go outside ; but
at 8 o'clk finding it very dark, thought it best
to anchor.

HENRY BLANEY 67

February 19. Hove up anchor at 6 a.m. and
at 7, passed out by Gutzlaff and between the
Islands, weather very cold, strong N.W. wind.

February 20. Lat. 30.31 ; Long. 122.32 ;
Strong N.W. wind and very cold; made this
24 hours, 12 knots an hour. Chinese New
Year.

February 21. Lat. 27.07 ; Long. 121.07.
Wind still blowing strong from the N.W. At
4 p.m. passed a bark sunk with all her masts
standing, 4 or 5 ft. above water, supposed to
have sunk recently.

February 22. Sunday. Wind changed to
the N.E. and blowing fresh, the Air feeling
much warmer. Washington's memory was not
forgotten. Lat. 23.55 ; Long. 118.15.

February 23. Lat. 21.30 ; Long. 115. Air
quite warm ; at 5 p.m. passed a ship and Bk.
The Bark passed within a pistol shot. At 8
a.m. saw a ship standing across our bows ; sup-
posed to be a whaler bound for Hong Kong.
An hour after she was hull down astern. At
noon we were within 65 miles of H. Kong.

February 2fy. Arose at daylight, went on
deck and took a salt water bath. The first I

68 HENRY BLANEY

had seen of salt water for 6 months. The bath
was truly delicious. Dressed in thin flannels
and summer clothes. The thermometer had
risen the last five days 60 degrees — and quite
a contrast to what it then was at Shanghae.

February 25. Lat. 15.40 ; Long. 113.28.
This noon find we are about 1200 miles from
Shanghae, having averaged since we left about
200 miles.

Wind very light from the N.E.

February 26. Arose at Sunrise and took a
salt water bath on deck ; weather very fine
with light winds ; saw large schools flying fish ;
Capt. Stoddard complaining of a sick head-
ache. I am very much pleased with him ; think
him a very gentlemanly man, kind to his men
and tries to make every one comfortable around
him. The passengers who came out with him
the last voyage are very much pleased with
him and he also with them ; particularly with
Miss Lydia Nye of Fairhaven, Mass., and Mrs.
Gideon Nye, Jr. The names of the other pas-
sengers were Rev. Mr. Washburn, an Episco-
palian, settled in Newburyport, Mr. Geo. Mun-
roe, Jr., formerly a broker in Exchange St.,

HENRY BLANEY 69

Boston, with his wife and two children and
Miss Linsley of Washington, second cousin of
Danl. Webster. Also two servant girls, one of
whom died ten days after her arrival in Shang-
hae, of consumption ; from a cold contracted
on Shipboard. Mr. Washburn, Mrs. G. Nye,
Jr., and Mrs. Munroe are brother and sisters,
and children of Abiel Washburn, Esq., Dry
Goods Merchant of Boston. Mr. Washburn
was a man about 32 years of age and was a
jolly parson ; he had presided over a congre-
gation in Newburyport about seven years and
possessed no property but a salary from the So-
ciety of $800. As his sisters were coming out
to China and he being tired of his society, Mr.
Gideon Nye, Jr., who is wealthy, offered to
pay all his expenses out and home overland
through Egypt if he would join them, which
he concluded to do. During the passage out
and for want of something to employ his leisure
was very attentive to Miss Linsley and before
he arrived out proposed to her and was ac-
cepted. This was kept secret at Shanghae as
Miss L. did not wish her Aunt Mrs. P. Parker
at Canton to be informed of it, as Mrs. Parker

70 HENRY BLANEY

imported her from the States and intended her
for Mr. Moore.

About three weeks after the arrival of the
party they all took passage for Macao in the
Bark " Antelope," Capt. Potter ; but just
previous to sailing the Rev. at a supper given
by Capt. Endicott of the Opium Ship " Snipe "
at Wosung happened to get " how came you
so " over a glass of old " Jamaica " and blew
the whole affair of the engagement ; this was
" Nuts " for the people in Shanghae and a
story in China never loses strength by Circu-
lation. Capt. Stoddard says the Rev. was a
talented man and a jolly companion and no
more use as a Christian than a " towline in a
ten knot breeze " ; Steward says he would
drink his " three fingers six times a day." One
can judge of the quantities of wines and liquors
drank coming out, by the extra bill for those
alone, paid at Shanghae, amounting to $400.

Mr. Geo. Munroe goes out to Nye, Parkin
& Co., Canton, as clerk, but Capt. S. thinks it
doubtful if Mr. M. stays there more than a
year.

February 29. Sunday. Lat. 09.07 ; Long.

HENRY BLANEY 71

110. — Last night it being very warm slept
on the house and was very comfortable. At 4
a.m. a breeze sprung up from the N.E. and at
11 a.m. was going 9 knots. Made this day 81
miles, passed a quantity of floating wood and
weeds, and shellfish. Saw a live Crab floating
on a piece of wood and bound North, probably
to Canton to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
March 1. Lat. 6.18; Long. 109.06 first
day of Spring. Thermometer 85 degrees. At
1 p.m. a slight shower. After Tea this even-
ing Capt. Stoddard related me a circumstance
which happened when he was in the Ship
"Carrington," John Brown & Co's Ship, Lewis
Whf. (Mr. Brown was lost in the "Lexing-
ton ") Capt. Robt. Soule and Mr. Scholfield
partners — Capt. Stoddard was sent out by
them to China from England, with a credit of
£100,000 on Baring, Bros. & Co. London,
and was instructed by them to purchase Car-
goes of Teas for three Ships for the U.S. Soon
after Capt. S. left England, a ship arrived
from China (there being no overland mails
then) bringing the account of disastrous prices
for Tea then ruling ; in consequence of which

72 HENRY BLANEY

Baring, Bros. & Co., sent out a yacht to China
to annul the Letter of credit but did not arrive
until Capt. S. had left although he stopped at
Manila several days. Upon Capt. S's arrival in
Manila was consigned to Paine, Strieker &
Co., and from Mr. Gordon Reed (one of the
partners) he learned of the state of the Tea
Market in China. He at once saw ruin staring
in the faces of the Owners by following their
instructions in purchasing the three cargoes.
He shew Mr. Reed his instructions and asked
his advice ? but Mr. R. saw no possible way
to evade them, there it was written in full
" to purchase three cargoes of Tea at the most
favorable prices " and at the same time he saw
that if he did follow their instructions it would
be at a sacrifice in the U.S. to the owners of
$300,000 : He did not know what to do ; he
was at his wit's end, and almost distracted ;
but at last concluded to take the responsibility
and send home two of the ships from Manila
with Sugar and Hemp and proceed with his
own Ship to Canton where he found the state
of the market much worse than the accounts
were at Manila. He called upon David Jardine

HENRY BLANEY 73

for his advice in the matter and he told him
he could see no possible way to avoid his in-
structions, but tol$ him " it was a dead ruin if
he sent Teas at that time to the U.S." Finally
Capt. S. concluded to take still more responsi-
bility and send the ship home in Ballast.
Meanwhile Messrs. Brown & Co. were in a
deplorable state knowing that Capt. S. had
his written instructions to purchase those Teas
and would not dare to do differently, Mr.
Brown being in England at the time would
ask Mr. Bates of Baring, Bros. & Co. what he
thought Capt. S. would do? he told him he
could not do differently than to buy the Tea.
Mr. Brown was in Boston when Capt. S. ar-
rived and expected of course to find himself
ruined, but when Capt. S. told him he had not
purchased a lb. of tea it was a joyful time for
all interested, and what was still better, the
two cargoes of Hemp and Sugar paid a profit,
and one of them 120,000.

March 2. Lat. 4.16 N. Long. 108.46 very
little wind today and very warm. At noon had
a shower of rain. By the Chronometer found
we were only 30 miles N.E. Great Natunas

74 HENRY BLANEY

but owing to a thick fog, was not visible. At
8 bells saw a clipper barque beating to the
Northward. Supposed to be the " Race Horse " 1
from Bombay. At Sundown passed Flat Island
where the " Mary Ellen," Capt. Dearborn, was
lost three years ago.

March 3. Lat. 2.52 Long. 108.10 Wind
nearly calm. Since noon we had been on the
lookout for Gt. Natunas, although we were by
observation only 30 miles from it, and 2 p.m.
steered directly for it and the mate (Mr. Han-
son) was directed to get one of the anchors
over the bow and " light up " 50 fathoms chain.
At 5 o'clk could just discern the mountain
upon the Island, which before was not visible
owing to the fog. At Sundown the Island bore
directly W.

March 4- At daylight could just discern the
mountain astern of us and Low Island on the
Starboard bow, so called from it being much
lower than the other Islands around it, although
it was a high land extending about two degrees

1 " Bark Racehorse, — 512 tons, owned by Goddard &
Co., Boston, built by Sam'l Hall at East Boston " (see also
Notes).

HENRY BLANEY 75

North and South sloping evenly to the water
on both sides. At 4 p.m. came up with Tam-
belan Islands. A rock about 15 miles North of
the island rises two hundred ft. from the water,
of the size of a ship, separated in two nearly to
the water's edge, by a large gap from which the
rock takes its name. At noon passed the Tambe-
lan Island and about Sundown Green Island
bore West. Our course was South. The Borneo
Coast was distinctly visible nearly all day.

March 5. At 4 a.m. St. Barbe bore N.W.
distance 20 miles — run this day 103 miles.
At 5 a.m. passed Belvedere Shoal where about
5 years since the Eng. Ship "Staffordshire"
struck. She was from Shanghae with a cargo
of Silk and Tea valued at a million and a half
dollars. Soon after she struck the Ship " Gen.
Harrison" from Boston for Manila hove in
sight and took off all the Officers and Crew.
The Capt. of the "Staffordshire" told the
Capt. of the " G.H " what a valuable cargo he
had on board and as he had abandoned her,
advised him to anchor within a | of a mile and
fill his ship which was in ballast, with at least
the bales of raw Silk as there was at least

76 HENRY BLANEY

$800,000 worth, and his salvage would be | of
^ of the whole Value ; his Owners receiving the
other | ; but he refused, as he said he should
lose his character if he should stop for any of
the cargo and should happen to get on shore
before he arrived at Manila. He was blamed
very much by the merchants of Manila for not
filling his ship with her Cargo, as it would have
netted his owners at least $400,000. As soon
as it was made known at Manila, a vessel
started for the Wreck but found she had en-
tirely broken up. At sunrise the faint outlines
of Gaspar Island could be seen and as we were
running with a free wind 6 knots, by daylight
were within 15 miles of it on our starboard
bow. This is the Island where Capt. Gordon
landed from the "Memnon"1 on Pulo Leat.
About 15 miles S.W. of the Island is a Shoal
on which Capt. Gordon ran the "Paul Jones"2

1 " The Memnon, 1068 tons, owned by Warren Delano,
was built by Smith & Dimon in 1848." She was " the only
clipper ship to make the voyage to San Francisco prior to
1850, . . . under Captain George Gordon."

2 " The Paul Jones, of 620 tons, built by Waterman &
Elwell at Medford in 1842, was owned by John H. Forbes
and Russell & Co. of China. ... In 1848 this ship made
the run from Java Head to New York in 76 days."

HENRY BLANEY 77

four years ago, but succeeded in getting her off
after throwing overboard | of her cargo. Be-
tween Gaspar Island and the Hammocks at
equal distance lies a rock about twice the length
of a ship and upon each end a tree, which can
be seen long before the rock is in view and
which, as Capt. Stoddard says, have stood as
long as the rock has been known. About a
mile off the Southern end of Gaspar Island is
a large rock connecting with the main land by
a reef of rocks. Close in by this rock by the
aid of a glass I could distinctly see a number of
Malay Proas or boats which were probably filled
with Malay Pirates waiting for some unfortu-
nate Ship which was becalmed. It may have
been fortunate for us we were going 8 knots.
A few miles to the leeward of us is a shoal
where Capt. Dumaresq ran the " Akbar"1 as
he was beating down in company with an Eng-
lish Ship, and succeeded in getting off with the
loss of his keel. At 8 a.m. was abreast of the

1 " . . . the Akbar, a ship of 650 tons, built by Samuel
Hall in East Boston in 1839, for John M. Forbes, and others,
. . . Later, she was commanded by Captain Philip Dumaresq,
who made a number of rapid passages in her to and from
China."

78 HENRY BLANEY

Hammocks on the Island of Banca (where the
celebrated Tin is produced) in Gaspar Straits,
and an hour after entered Macclesfield Straits.
March 6. At 10 a.m. was abreast of Pulo
Leat and could distinctly see the spot where
Capt. Gordon ran " Memnon " ashore four
months since. He was beating down through
the Straits and was warned by his mate Mr.
Fisher that he was standing too near in shore,
and Capt. G.'s reply was, " he knew his busi-
ness " — ten minutes after she struck. Capt.
G. found it was impossible to get her off, and
he with his wife and crew took to the boats —
(the Malay pirates swarming up one side while
they were going over the other,) — and started
for Gaspar Island which lay 25 miles north.
The next day Mr. Fisher (mate) with one of
the boats and a pair of sails with part of the
crew started for Singapore bearing N.W. dis-
tance 300 miles. The first days run was 156
miles and two days after arrived at Singapore
where he reported the loss of the " Memnon."
A vessel was sent for Capt. Gordon but he had
put off 8 days after Mr. Fisher in the other
boat for a ship which was coming down through

HENRY BLANEY 79

the straits bound for Singapore where he and
his wife and crew arrived without any further
accident. By the following mail Capt. G and
wife started overland to Boston where they
belonged. This Island Pulo Leat has been the
cause of a great many shipwrecks. It stands
directly in the Centre of the passage through
which a 5 knot current is constantly running,
changing its direction once in six months with
the Monsoon. The passage is about two miles
wide and bounded on the opposite side by shoals.
Two Frigates were also lost upon this Island a
few years since, (one English and one French)
named the " Alceste" and "Amelia." At noon
we were fairly in the Java Sea and at sundown
the Islands in and around Gaspar Straits were
out of sight astern. This p.m. saw a large snake
swimming on top of the water, which are nu-
merous in this sea.

March 7. Sunday. At 4 a.m. passed two
ships supposed to belong to the Dutch Com-
pany, at anchor. They are instructed by this
Company if the wind is ahead always to an-
chor and not attempt to pass through the
Straits of Sunda. At daybreak two rocks

80 HENRY BLANEY

called the Brothers which lay at the entrance of
the Straits of Sunda, " hove in sight," and also
the coast of Sumatra which lay about 14 miles
westward. "We could distinctly see the trees
upon the Coast, and long before daylight a fine
perfume came off the land which was delicious.
We sailed all this forenoon with a fine 8 knot
breeze, and by noon expected to see boats
filled with fruit coming from off the shore.
This was our only chance of getting any stock
here as the Underwriters do not allow ships to
anchor at Anjer during the N. West Monsoon
(between Sept. and April) and also at the
Cape of Good Hope from Apl. to Sept. as
during those periods strong winds blow di-
rectly on shore and ships would be in great
danger of dragging their Anchors. If a ship
was lost the Underwriters would be liable, but
at the same time the Captain would be cen-
sured. At 8 bells two boats were seen putting
off for us and at two bells we sat down to
dinner expecting the bananas and oranges fresh
from Java, by the time we were ready for our
dessert. At 2 p.m. we were within five miles
of Anjer and 40 of Batavia ; and were boarded

HENRY BLANEY 81

by two boats from Anjer manned by five or six
Malays in each and filled with all kinds of
tropical fruits and birds ; such as Mangosteens,
Mangoes, Oranges, Limes, Bananas, Plantains,
Cocoa Nuts, Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Parrots,
Paroquets, Minors, Sparrows, Peacocks, etc., I
purchased a Minor, 6 Paroquets, and 20 Java
Sparrows for two dollars, but found a day or
two after the Minor required too much atten-
tion and gave him to one of the Crew. The
Captain purchased a few piculs of Yams, Sweet
Potatoes, and added a few dozen of Java fowl
to our present Shanghae lot. They were full
size but very small and a dozen would hardly
make sufficient breakfast for three persons.
After remaining along side a couple of hours
the ship going all the time six knots the Ma-
lays cast off a moment before a rain squall
struck and were shut out from our view. As
soon as the squall passed over, it left us be-
calmed and entirely at the mercy of the current,
which was setting us down through the Straits
of Sunda, and towards a large rock on the edge
of the Channel, the east side of which connects
with the Island called " Thawt the Way " by a

82 HENRY BLANEY

reef covered in some places by only 17 feet of
water ; our ship drawing 15 ft. 8. Towards this
rock and reef a four knot current was setting
us, and for an hour there was considerable
anxiety on board of the Ship for our safety.
By the chart we knew there was no anchorage
short of Seventy fathoms except close in to this
reef, and we were fearful the current would set
us where there was less water than we drew.
Within the last ten years several ships had
touched upon this reef and two of them belong-
ing to a Boston house, John Brown & Co. —
and drawing less water than our ship ; one of
them taking a piece of the reef weighing 133
lbs. home with her. But we fortunately passed
over without touching. At 7 o'clk p.m. we were
exactly opposite Anjer and were again boarded
by three Malay boats filled with live stock, etc.,
part of which the Capt. purchased. When the
boats came along side the leader jumped on
board with his book in which the name of every
vessel that passes is placed together with any
information which might be of benefit to ves-
sels following. I noticed the "Flying Cloud"
had passed a few days before us, 6 days from

HENRY BLANEY 83

Hong Kong which is the shortest passage by 6
days on record. This same vessel sailed from New
York to San Francisco in 89 days, the quickest
trip ever made from port to port.1 I noticed the
" Lantao " Capt. Bradbury passed 30 Octo. 27
days from Shanghae, and with his memoran-
dum of 5 piculs Sweet Potatoes, 5 piculs yams
and 2 dozen fowls — The" Oriental " 27 days,
"Tartar " 12 days, " Adelaide " 17 days, and
our own ship "Mandarin" 17 days, all from
Shanghae.

March 8. Becalmed all day wdthin sight of
Anjer off Cockatoa Island, a beautiful pyra-
midal shaped hill, the summit of which is fre-
quently obscured by clouds half way to its base.

March 9. At daylight Cockatoa still in sight
and bearing North. Lat. 6.10; Long. 105.20.
Strong currents setting into the Straits. At 8
p.m. Cockatoa bearing N.E. by N. distance 10
miles.

March 10. Lat. 6.43 ; Long. 104.30. At
4 p.m. Cockatoa bearing east by north. Princes

1 The record of the Flying Cloud, quoted above, was made
in 1851, and in 1854 she duplicated her earlier performance.
The Andrew Jackson, in 1860, was the only other clipper
ship to equal this record.

84 HENRY BLANEY

Island S.S. East. At noon by observation 45
miles from Java. Light winds. . . .

March 11. Lat. 7.30; Long. 102.21. Fine
breeze from the South East, with studding sails
all set.

March lJf. Sunday. Lat. 11 ; Long. 92.25
— frequent rain squalls — made 216 nils. On
Sunday the men are left entirely to their own
inclinations; the greater portion of them are
sitting round forward, and upon the forecastle,
dressed in white and blue pantaloons, clean
shirts, etc., some are reading, others are spin-
ning long yarns, or playing with monkeys and
birds. Occasionally Jacko would cause a laugh
among the Crew, by some of his pranks, but
the merriment could scarcely be heard aft, and
all were aware that the Captain respected the
Sabbath, and though indulgent, would not al-
low any unnecessary noise or bustle. One Sun-
day afternoon Jacko was amusing the boys at
the expense of the black Cook, by lying in wait
for him over his galley, and whenever he made
his appearance dropping some article upon his
head and escaping to the rigging beyond his
reach and rage. This afternoon I speak of, the

HENRY BLANEY 85

wind was blowing very fresh and Jacko was
upon the top of the galley with a large board
ready to launch upon his victim, the poor Cook,
between whom there had been existing a mortal
enmity. But the Cook was equally upon the
watch and armed with a dipper of hot water,
had his eye upon Jacko when he little thought
it. Suddenly the Cook jumped out of the lee
side of the galley and threw the hot water at
Jacko with a most malicious spirit and deter-
mination, but Jacko was too quick for him. Up
flew the board as a shield and back flew the
hot water into the Cook's face which made him
curse and swear like a " Davy Crockett " at
being foiled by a monkey. But Jacko was not
to be bluffed off. He seemed determined to get
a lick at the Cook's head before he left his post.
By this time all hands had congregated around
the galley to witness the sport, and encouraged
the Combatants with roars of laughter. The
Captain and niyself were upon the quarter deck
where we could distinctly see the whole perform-
ance. The Cook now armed himself with an-
other dipper full of scalding hot water, and, as
" Titus Andronicus " says in the play, " Yenge-

86 HENRY BLANEY

ance is in his heart and Death in his hand,"
mounted a cask on the weather side and aimed
the whole contents at Jacko's body, but missed
him again, for the monkey saw him in time and
dodged, and the poor Carpenter who was stand-
ing on the other side of the galley with his
neck stretched out at full length and on tiptoe,
and enjoying the fun, received the whole con-
tents in his bosom. This was too much for the
Cook and he darted up on to the galley armed
with a huge cudgel, and with one blow stretched
Jacko flat and apparently lifeless ; but he soon
recovered himself and ever after gave the Cook
and Galley a wide berth.

March 18. Lat. 16.32 ; Long. 78.08 At 10
a.m. the wind died away to a calm. At 3 p.m.
signs of a squall from the South East, sails
reduced to reefed topsails and mainsail, At 1
past 3 the squall struck accompanied with rain.
The stanchion supporting the wheel awning was
carried away, and came down upon the head of
the man at the wheel. This was a very severe
squall and the rain came down with great vio-
lence and lasted till 6 p.m. when the Sun set
clear. Thermometer fell from 84 degrees to 76

HENRY BLANEY 87

degrees. At 6i shook the reefs out of the top-
sails and set the spanker. Ship going 11 knots.
Capt. Stoddard much troubled with the ery-
sipelas which has broken out today all over his
head and body. This p.m. is so bad as to scarcely
see. He is a religious man and reads his chap-
ter in the Bible every morning and evening.
Is an agreeable companion and I am very much
pleased with him.

March 19. Light winds all the forenoon.
A squall came on just before 12 o'clock. No
observation. At li o'clk a very severe rain
squall struck us and it seemed as though 100,000
cisterns had burst above. At one time there
was six inches of water upon the decks, and
when the ship lurched to leeward it sounded
like a cataract. Some of the men rubbed them-
selves over with soap and in a few moments
were perfectly white with foam.

March 20. Lat. 18.35 ; Long. 73.56. Light
winds aU day. Made only 93 miles. At 2 p.m.
had a heavy rain squall from the N.N.E. This
P.M. one of the men harpooned a " Bonito "
under the bows — and the next morning: had
him served up fried for breakfast. It was truly

88 HENRY BLANEY

delicious. When taken, it much resembled a
large Mackerel and was about the size of a full
grown Haddock. Today the steward gave us a
Clam Chowder for dinner. It was very nice but
did not taste as good as I have tasted at home.

March 21. Sunday. Lat. 19.43 ; Long.
71.55 — made 126 miles. Light winds and fine
weather. Had a heavy rain squall last night.
" Jacko's fat all in the fire today." While his
friend the Cook was boiling doughnuts, Jacko
would dive into the galley while his back was
turned, and run off with some, which the Cook
noticed and laid a trap for him. He took off
the kettle from the fire with the fat simmering
hot, placed it outside where Jacko could see it,
leaving a solitary doughnut swimming upon the
surface. No sooner had he turned his back
when Jacko pounced upon it. Fire and Furies !
did n't he scream ? while the Cook roared with
laughter till his opened mouth looked like a
thrown back Chaise top. Poor Jacko did not
get over that scald for several days and I
really believe the cook freely forgave him for
all the tricks he had cut upon him.

March 22. Lat. 20.36 ; Long. 70 degrees.

HENRY BLANEY 89

Made 120 miles — been going along this
morning only five knots and very little prospect
of getting home in 90 days. This noon find we
are three thousand miles from the Cape Good
Hope. At 4 p.m. saw a large English ship ten
miles off our larboard beam and standing for
us. She had no studding sails or royals set, and
evidently had encountered bad weather off the
Cape. She was probably bound for Calcutta, or
some of the other ports in India. As soon as
she came up within 5 or 6 miles of us she ran
up her English Ensign, and we answered her
with the Stars and Stripes. She then hauled
down her ensign and hoisted up her numbers,
but as we had none of Marryat's Signals
could not find out her name or inform her of
ours. I took a memorandum of her signals to
report at St. Helena. We hoisted our name
which was sewed in large blue letters on a
white ground but think it doubtful if they
could read it. Two hours later, a squall shut
her from our sight.

March 23. Lat. 21.34 ; South. — Long.
67.42 East. Last night experienced a severe
rain squall, but this morning the sun rose

90 HENRY BLANEY

bright and unclouded. Last night saw the
moon, which was two days old, go down about
seven o'clock. The sun crossed the Equator
on the 20th inst. and the two occurrences of the
Sun and Moon happening so close together the
Captain thought betokened unusually strong
winds at the Cape. Made today 131 miles.

March 2Jf Fine breeze and pleasant weather,
with studding sails out on both sides.

Lat. 22.58 South — Long. 65.26 — 33 days
out — made this day 158 miles.

March 29. Lat. 25.32. Long. 55.07 made
159 miles. Studding sails set on both sides.

April 3. Lat. 28.16 — Long. 43.12 — made
184 miles.

At daylight saw an English ship astern,
probably from Calcutta, and another ship off
the lee bow. Both standing the same course
with us. We had been sailing close-hauled, the
ship astern had been sailing with the wind free.
As soon as she came within four miles of us,
she hauled close on the wind. The ship to the
Leeward of us at daylight had her top gallant
sails and royals furled, but at 7 o'clk had all
sails set. At 8 a.m. altered our course from

HENRY BLANEY 91

S.W. by West, to West | South. At 9
o'clk the wind moderated to 6 knots. Had been
going 9 knots all night. We are now about
100 miles south of Cape St. Mary, on Mada-
gascar.

April 4' Sunday. At 8 a.m. nearly a calm.
One ship was about three miles astern of us,
the other on the lee bow about 5 miles, both
apparently English Ships from Calcutta. I
was in hopes we should be close to them at
daylight, so as to board them and get a few
papers, as they would most likely have a later
mail than ourselves, and also attend service
which English ships are obliged to have at
sea, by Law, when a certain number of men
are onboard. At 8| o'clk we set our ensign in
answer to the ship on the lee bow. Soon after
she altered her course with the evident wish to
speak us. At 1 p.m. we are becalmed and 4
miles distant from one of the ships and 6 from
the other.

They are both large Ships and resemble those
belonging to Green & Co., of London, who are
the largest ship owners in the world. Brockle-
bank of Liverpool is owner of more ships than

92 HENRY BLANEY

Green & Co. but not so many Tons. At 6 p.m.
a strong north west breeze sprang up. At 9
p.m. the ship astern was out of sight and the
other abeam. We are going 9 knots although
sharp on the wind.

April 5. At daylight wind blowing a gale
from the South West with a very heavy sea
from the same direction. Both of the ships out
of sight astern. At 10 a.m. the wind still blow-
ing a gale. An effort was made to set the jib,
but hardly had they completed, when it was
blown to atoms, and several men were ordered
to go out on the jib boom to take in the rem-
nants, in doing which one of the men, named
Aleck, fell overboard. Several men with the
Captain and mate were upon the jib boom and
forecastle at the time, and saw him fall. In-
stantly the Cry was raised of " Man-overboard !"
The thrill and terror of those words at Sea,
and in a Gale of wind can better be imagined
than described. I had an attack of sea sick-
ness that morning and was lying on the tran-
som in the after cabin when the cry was raised.
I rushed upon deck and found every one in the
greatest excitement and everything in confu-

HENRY BLANEY 93

sion. Capt. Stoddard was yelling his orders
" to hard down the helm " and swinging his
arms wildly to enforce his commands, but never
does Jack work more willingly than when one
of his ship mates is in danger. Although we
were going 9 knots, owing to the head sea, she
refused to come about. He then tried to wear,
but she refused to do either. At the first cry,
Mr. Hanson, the mate, rushed aft, and cut
adrift the life preserver which had fortunately
been lashed over the rail astern in case of
emergency. Although the man was some ways
astern, and burdened with his thick boots, he
swam about the length of the ship to the life
preserver, and fortunately succeeded in reach-
ing it. The Captain, finding it impossible to
put the ship about, or wear, ordered the top-
sails to be backed, as the man could be seen
from the top of the quarter rail, about a mile
astern. Meanwhile some of the men were get-
ting out one of the Life Boats from the top of
the house. After some difficulty in getting it
over the side and down into the water, there
being great danger of staving it to pieces by
the heavy sea running, two men with the 2nd

94 HENRY BLANEY

mate got into it and pushed off. The man was
then about a \ mile * off, nearly astern, and I
could with difficulty keep track of him. Now
he would be upon the top of a high wave, and
then for several moments lost to view in the
hollow of the sea. After rowing about ten min-
utes and expecting every moment to see the
boat fill, they succeeded in reaching the man
and getting him on board the boat, and brought
him safely on board the ship. It was a very
narrow escape for the poor fellow, and had it
been in the night time, it would have been im-
possible to save him. Upon attempting to walk
after we had got him on deck, he found his leg
pained him, and it was with difficulty he could
use it. When he fell he went down head first
and caught his leg upon one of the bowsprit
stays. Although his leg was scraped and bruised
very badly, it was not considered dangerous.
Just before the boat reached him a large Al-
batross, which had been hovering over his head,
lit upon the water within a few feet of him,

1 There seems to be a discrepancy in the matter of the
distance between the ship and the man overboard ; — the
text of the manuscript is followed as written.

HENRY BLANEY 95

and when the boat came up he started with a
scream at being deprived of an anticipated
meal. The day before this occurrence, Aleck
and Frank had an angry tussle together and
had not spoken to each other since ; but when
Aleck fell overboard Frank was the first to
jump into the boat to save him, and came aft
for several days afterwards to get medicine and
salve for him. Lat. 29.05 ; Long 39.48.

The Gale continued all day, and the sea ran
very high. I have heard of the sea running
mountains high, and have had a curiosity to
see it in its most angry state. No where in the
world does the Sea run so high as at the Cape
of Good Hope, and never have I seen it more
than 12 or 15 feet high as near as I could
judge. Capt. Stoddard says the height of the
highest wave on record, measured from the
shore, is 15 feet from the level of the water ;
not measuring the hollow.

April 6. Lat. 29.54 ; Long. 37.32 — made
160 miles. Strong gales with a head sea. At
sundown wind moderated, and set all the stud-
ding sails. 46 days out.

April 7. Lat. 31.28; Long. 33.46 — made

96 HENRY BLANEY

225 miles. Strong N.W. wind. This day was
a disagreeable one. The ship pitched and
plunged bows under, and it was with difficulty
I could keep my feet. At our meals we were
obliged to hold on with one hand and eat with
the other. Now and then a dish of something
would fetch away, and bring up in the lap or
bosom of one of us. At midnight the wind sud-
denly changed to the West and blew as it had
from the N. West.

April 8. Today we make but very little
progress as we are jammed hard on the wind.
Soon after breakfast we saw a large ship on
our lee bow, standing on the opposite tack.
She like ourselves was bound round the Cape.
At noon we tacked to the North, and at 4 p.m.
was abreast of her about three miles to the lee-
ward. She was an Eng. Ship of about 1200
tons and heavily loaded. Lat. 33.08 ; Long.
30.32.

April 9. At noon this day we saw the coast
of Africa, and by Chronometer, found we were
50 miles from Buffalo River, in Lat. 32.42 ;
Long. 29.32. Today Joe the Cowboy found
twenty hens' eggs in the coop, which were all

HENRY BLANEY 97

laid today. Very few farmers in New England
can boast of a better lot of Fowls than we have
on board. The principal part were bought in
Shanghae, the rest in Java. We are now out
49 days. While we were at dinner today, the
2nd mate, Mr. Delano, hooked a shark and
with the assistance of some of the men hauled
him on board. He measured ten feet, which is
much longer than they average. He was cut up
and divided among the men. One claiming the
back bone, another the jaw bone, and Mr. Han-
son the fins, which, when made into a soup by
the Chinese, is considered one of the best Man-
darin dishes. On the voyage out, Mr. Hanson
collected about 30 fins, and exchanged them at
Shanghae for a chest of Tea and several pieces
of Silk. At 3 p.m. the wind shifted to the
South, but soon after died away calm, with a
current from the South West setting us to-
wards the African coast which we could see
very plainly on our lee, distant about 30 miles.
This part of the Coast is unsettled by foreign-
ers, and is inhabited by savage Hottentots,
from whom we should receive but very little
mercy should they get us in their power. Today

98 HENRY BLANEY

I saw a " Thrasher," the chief enemy of the
whale. He jumped nearly his length perpendic-
ular out of the water. I should think he was
about 20 feet long.

April 10. We have been becalmed nearly
all day, with the exception of a run of 20 miles
last night in the middle watch. The current
close in shore, sets to the westward nearly all
the year round. The last 24 hours we have
made 127 miles, which shows a current in our
favor of 107 miles. At the time of writing this,
we are just in sight of the land, and steering
S.S.W. with a light breeze from the South,
and a heavy swell from the westward. By the
chart, we are about 110 miles to the Eastward
of Port Elizabeth, and 500 Miles from Cape
Good Hope. This a.m., while I was aloft on
the main topsail yard, saw a vessel directly
ahead and apparently coming toward us. An
hour afterwards she was abeam, and proved to
be an English Brig, from the Cape Good Hope
and bound to some of the ports on the African
Coast. She was about as poor a specimen of
an English vessel as I ever saw and looked as
though she had been keeping company with

HENRY BLANEY 99

the " Flying Dutchman." Her sails were in
miserable repair and in her main top gallant
sail was a hole large enough to put a hogshead
through. Even her ensign, which she hoisted
as we passed, was rent the whole length. It is
somewhere in this vicinity that the fable of the
" Flying Dutchman " originated. The magical
appearance that an iceberg (which are seen
here in Nov. and Dec.) sometimes exhibits by
the radiance of the sun, when viewed at a con-
siderable distance, possibly might have been
experienced by some of the early navigators
when passing the Cape Good Hope and there-
by have arisen the Fable. At noon the wind
came out from the South West and jammed us
close on the wind. Lat. 33.59 ; Long 27.41.
April 11. Sunday. Very squally weather all
day with the wind ahead. Here there is a vari-
ation from the true north, of 26 degrees west,
in the compass, which is accounted for by the
attraction of the earth. At New York there is
a variation of ^ point ; at Boston of li points.
In the China Sea there is none. Here near the
Cape of 21 points nearly, or 26 degrees (11|
degrees to a point). To find the true north

100 HENRY BLANEY

from the magnetic north, when the variation is
west, count to the left, when east to the right.
Near an island in the Gulf of Finland the
compass flies round and round, and in another
part of the Gulf stands perfectly still. At the
Island it is accounted for by the minerals and
metals of which it is composed. This day we
are in Lat. 35.03. Long. 25.04.

April 12. Lat. 35.34 ; Long. 23.14. Last
night we had squally weather with a heavy
head sea. Shipped a heavy sea forward and
aft at the same time, and floated everything
about the decks, which was not lashed down.
The noise was very heavy and sudden, and
awoke me from a sound sleep. At the same
time the heel of the Jib boom was carried
away. The Steward awoke the Captain, and
very innocently told him the heel of the "Fly-
ing Jib " was carried away. This last 24 hours
we made 94 miles, which distance was nearly
all gained by the force of the current. We
are about 260 miles from the Cape Good Hope.

April 13. Lat. 35.11 ; Long. 22.08 — 72
miles. Last night we were on Agulhas Banks,
and during a calm the mate caught three fish ;

HENRY BLANEY 101

Two Groupers and one Lance. One of the
groupers weighed 120 A lbs. When fried for
breakfast, and made into a chowder for dinner,
they are delicious, and resemble the Haddock
caught on our Coast. These fish swim on the
bottom to avoid the sharks which are very-
numerous on these banks, and the depth of
the water where these fish were caught is 60
fathoms. This a.m. the wind came out from
the East, but with a heavy swell from the
South west, and could make but little progress.
By tomorrow night we are in hopes to be round
the Cape. At sundown the wind is strong from
the east, and sending us through the water
10 knots an hour, and we can distinctly see
Cape Agulhas bearing North, distant 45
miles.

April llf. Last night the wind came out
from the N. West and directly ahead. At noon
today, by observation we are in Lat. 35.55 ;
Long. 18.48 and directly south the Cape Good
Hope, distant 85 miles. The wind still blowing
fresh from the course we want to head. At
sundown the wind blowing a gale, and our ship
with the least possible sail on her. At 8 p.m.

102 HENRY BLANEY

the wind hauled to the West. Altered our
course to the Northward.

April 15. Wind blowing fresh with a heavy
head sea. At noon found we were 100 miles
south west of the Cape, and at 8 p.m. we are
about 80 miles directly west of the Cape with
all larboard studding sails set, and a fresh
breeze from the South west. This a.m. saw the
back of a whale, and soon after saw him spout
a column of water high as our mast head. We
have thus far sailed 8,000 miles, and are
about 7,000 to New York. It is estimated that
it is about 15,000 from New York to Canton;
2000 from Canton to Java Head — 6000
thence to the Cape and 7000 thence to New
York. Lat. 35.06; Long. 16.45.

April 16. Lat. 33.22 — Long. 13.29 — We
have had a strong breeze from the S. East all
day, but do not expect to get the Trade winds
from this same quarter for a day or two. We
are rolling along finely, direct for St. Helena
with the wind directly aft. Aleck came on
deck today for the first time since the accident,
and is still quite lame. One of my paroquets
died last night from the effects of the cold, and

HENRY BLANEY 103

have only one left which I am in hopes will
live to get into N. Yk. They resemble a Par-
rot, are about as large as a Sparrow, and of
brilliant plumage. Thermometer today 40
degrees.

April 17. Lat. 31.36 ; Long. 10.12 — 1 de-
voted nearly all this morning writing up my
Journal, as the sea is calmer than we have had
it for several days. The Captain is keeping
further to the south than usual, with the hope
of finding stronger breezes. The usual track
for vessels bound across the Equator, is about
150 miles to the North, and steer directly for
St. Helena, but as he does not intend to stop
he has adopted the above course.

April 18. Sunday. Is cloudy all day and
cannot get the Sun. Took a Lunar in the after-
noon and found our position to be Lat. 29.45 ;
Long. 7 — Fine trades, and all sails drawing to
the best advantage, made 174 miles.

April 19. Lat. 28.01 ; Long. 5.5 — Smooth
sea. At 9 a.m. a ship hove in sight to wind-
ward, steering N.N.W. This day the afternoon
watches commence on deck. Made 157 miles.

April 20. Lat. 27.01 — Long. 3.33 — Made

104 HENRY BLANEY

only 68 miles. Gentle breeze and fine weather.
Studding sails set on both sides. 60 days out.

April 24. Lat. 23.04 — Long. 2.16. Made
only 32 miles. This day's run is, I think, the
shortest since we left China. Light airs from
the N.N.E. with clear fine weather. This fore-
noon while looking over the bow saw several
" Albacores " playing upon the top of the water.
One of the men succeeded in catching one with
a hook and line. He weighed about 60 lbs. The
next day, he was fried, and made into a chow-
der.

April 25. Sunday. Lat. 22.53 — Long. 1.42
— Made only 30 miles. Thermometer 65 de-
grees. After 6 days calm weather, during which
time we have made only 360 miles, we are fa-
vored with the regular S. East Trade winds,
and soon after the commencement of this sea
day, sailed at the rate of 6 knots, which we
averaged the day through. We are now about
600 miles from St. Helena and expect by Thurs-
day a.m. to be up with it.

April 26. In the morning we had gentle
breezes from the S.E. and at 2 p.m. the wind
hauled to E.S.E. and freshened again to 6

HENRY BLANEY 105

knots. Lat. 21.39; Long. 00.01 East. Made
120 miles. Thermometer 68 degrees.

April 27. Lat. 19.50— Long. 02.04 W.
Made 168 miles. We have a fresh breeze from
the S. East all day, which is very encouraging.
At 10 a.m. saw a bark on our lee bow, and at
^ past twelve made her out to be an American
Whaler. Soon after she passed across our bows
about 5 ships lengths ahead and as we came
up abeam she was about two ships lengths off.
Capt. Stoddard hailed her with, " Where you
from? " " Where you bound? " " What 's your
longitude? " " How much Oil have you? " Her
Captain answered, " From New York " —
"Cruising for Sperm Whales." "1.30" —
" 230 bbls." We could distinctly read her name.
" Nimrod — Sag Harbor " as we passed. By
the time we had asked those questions and re-
ceived the answers, she was out of speaking
distance, and steering East, and we kept on
our N.W. course.

April 28. Lat. 17.12 — Long. 4.20 — Made
190 miles. Clear pleasant weather, and all sails
set to the best advantage.

April 29. I arose at 5 o'clk., and as soon as

106 HENRY BLANEY

it was daylight, with the hope of finding the
ship close to St. Helena, but was disappointed.
A heavy dark cloud obstructed my view beyond
8 or 10 miles, but an hour after, it passed to
the westward and I could plainly distinguish
the faint outline of a dark mass directly ahead,
and apparently 20 or 30 miles off. It is very
difficult for one unaccustomed to detecting ob-
jects at sea, to distinguish land from the dark
clouds arising above the edge of the horizon,
or to make up one's mind with any degree of
certainty as to the nature of any dark object
which is just discernible to the naked eye, or
even with a good Spy-Glass ; but knowing we
were heading directly for the Island and from
the observation of yesterday, and the distance
we had run by dead reckoning, the ship was
about 40 miles from the Island, I concluded
that the dark object ahead could be nothing
but St. Helena. At 8 o'clk the Island could be
plainly distinguished, and was apparently about
20 miles off. We were then going about five
knots, and Capt. Stoddard remarked that if
we should have a strong breeze so as to come
up with St. Helena by 12 o'clk, he would drop

HENRY BLANEY 107

anchor for a couple of hours. Almost as if by
magic a 10 knot breeze sprang up from the
South East, and lessened the distance so as to
make the Trees at Longwood distinctly visible.
It presented a mass of rocks without the least
sign of vegetation, with the exception of the
few trees seen at Longwood, the residence and
tomb of the late Emperor Napoleon. As we
passed the east end of the Island about two
miles off, I could with the aid of a glass, dis-
tinguish from among the trees the Emperor's
house, which is the only one on this end of the
Island, and am told that it is used for a farm
house, and the room which he used for his par-
lor and in which he died is now turned into a
carriage house. This building is now resorted
to by all persons who visit the Island, from
curiosity to see and touch the place where the
greatest soldier of the age resided the last six
years of his natural life, or anything which was
formerly in his possession. His tomb is about
two miles from the house, and is a spot much
resorted to by strangers, as the place where all
that remained of the great man who was the
terror of the European powers, and which took

108 HENRY BLANEY

three of the greatest powers of the Earth to
crush, reposed for the period of nineteen years,
until the change of rulers in France, prompted
them to ask of England the liberty of trans-
ferring the remains to his native soil on the
banks of the Seine, " in the heart of his dear
France, and in the midst of the people whom
he so dearly loved." Several of the willows
were transferred to France with the body, and
I had previously made up my mind, if possi-
ble, to visit the spot and gather a shoot of the
willow as a memento of my visit. As our stay
was very short I was deprived of this pleasure,
but fortunately the American Consul's lady,
whom I called upon, kindly gave me a twig
which she had gathered a few days previous on
one of her visits to the Tomb, and had preserved
in a large bottle.

On rounding the North East point of the
Island, the anchorage, which is the only one
around the Island, came in view, and twenty
minutes after let go our anchor. We were im-
mediately boarded by the Port Physician, Har-
bor Master, News Collector, and the American
Consul, Mr. John Carroll. From the latter I

HENRY BLANEY 109

learned that the American ship " Adelaide,"
Capt. Cobb, who had left Shanghae 14 days
before us, bound for New York, had not ar-
rived, neither the American Bk. " Oriental,"
Capt. Dale bound for Boston, who left a week
before us. We procured files of English pa-
pers to the 20th January, and American to the
1st. Nov., and from them we learned of the
new troubles in France, and the great fire in
Washington, etc.

There were only six vessels in port — One
English Man of War, Two Eng. Merchantmen,
one American Whaler, (Bark "Mary Gard-
ner " Capt. D. Smith, Sag Harbor) and two
French Merchantmen.

The appearance of this immense mass of
rock, looking up from the ship, was truly
grand ; and with the several Forts both upon
the top and sides of the rocks, defended by
cannon and about 450 men, presented truly a
warlike appearance.

Soon after the anchor was dropped, Mr. Car-
roll invited the Captain and myself to go on
shore. We landed at the foot of Jamestown, or
as it is sometimes called, Napoleon's Valley, at

110 HENRY BLANEY

the same stairs where Napoleon landed after
being made a prisoner by the English in the
year 1815.

This town is situated at the entrance of the
valley, and is almost obscured by the over-
hanging rocks enclosing it. A row of trees be-
hind the ramparts, and another behind the
Governor's house, give it a pleasant appear-
ance. The houses are neatly built on each side
of the principal street, which lies in a direct
line up the valley. I am told there is a run of
water proceeding from a small spring, and
from a waterfall which falls over a precipice
about 200 feet perpendicular into an ancient
volcanic Crater, but I did not have time to
visit it. About two miles from Longwood, (Na-
poleon's residence) is a fine spring of water,
from which all the water for his use was
brought. Napoleon was very fond of visiting
this spot, and in his will expressed the wish to
be buried there, which was complied with. On
the right side of the valley, a zig zag road is
cut for ascending Ladder Hill, which is about
800 feet high, and also a flight of steps lead-
ing directly to the summit. On the top of this

HENRY BLANEY 111

hill is mounted a heavy battery of guns, which
commands the valley and anchorage. At the
other side of this valley is Sugar Loaf Hill,
with a signal post at the top, and at its base
are three other batteries at a little distance
from each other, called Butter Milk, and Banks
Upper and Lower Batteries. A little to the
South West of these, Rupert battery appears
at the bottom of the Valley of this name,
formed by a strong stone wall mounted with
heavy cannon. Close to the landing is a Fort,
called Munden Fort, on a point of rocks,
manned by a number of guns, which also com-
mands James Valley. Around this point and
close to the sea, is a long line of Batteries
commanding the landing and the shipping at
anchor. On the summit of the hills are signal
posts all over the Island, which communicate
by telegraph with each other and with the
castle. When Bonaparte was a prisoner here,
a gun was fired whenever a ship was seen ap-
proaching, and this was repeated by other
posts to the Castle. This was called an alarm.
If more ships appeared a gun was fired for
each, till five in number, when a signal was

112 HENRY BLANEY

made for a fleet, but if more than two sail ap-
peared to be steering for the Island, a general
alarm was beaten, and every person immedi-
ately took the station assigned him, and re-
mained under arms till the Governor was in-
formed what ships they were. There were
always four men of war cruising off the Island,
so that an attempt to rescue Napoleon would
have been perfectly insane. There is a story
current of a Yankee Smuggler, who offered to
get Napoleon off the Island by means of a
submarine conveyance, provided he would find
means to lower himself down to the edge of
the water, but as every path was guarded by a
sentinel and he having grown very corpulent,
the project was given up.

Arriving at Mr. Carroll's house, we were
introduced to his family, consisting of his lady,
his son John and lady, and two younger sons ;
together with Mrs. Babcock wife of the Cap-
tain of one of the whalers cruising off the Island.
Our visit, though short, was very pleasant, and
was quite a relief after being cooped up on
board ship for 70 days.

This Island is about 9 miles long and 3 miles

HENRY BLANEY 113

wide. The highest point of land is in the centre
of the Island, about 2200 feet high and is
called Diana's Peak. Near this is a conical
shaped hill a little over 2000 ft. high. The
difference of Temperature on these hills and
the valleys is said to be about 10 degrees, and
on the former the air is always cool and pleas-
ant, blowing from the South East all the year
round. The whole island is said to have been
formed by a volcanic eruption, and to look
down from some of the hills, it has the appear-
ance of being thrown up by a convulsion of
nature, and the burnt appearance of the rocks
seems to prove this origin.

I am told that heavy dark clouds frequently
burst over the valley and deluge it completely.
Several years back, a heavy cloud broke over
Rupert Mountain, deluged it with a torrent of
water, and carried a great part of the breast
work and some of the guns into the sea.

Mr. Carroll estimated the number of inhab-
itants to be about 7000, — 5000 of whom are
natives of the Island and descendants of slaves
from the coasts of Africa. Nearly the whole of
this class are held as slaves, and subsist almost

114 HENRY BLANEY

entirely upon Rice. A few days before we ar-
rived, the lady of the Captain of a Spanish
vessel wished to purchase a girl for a servant,
and as soon as it became known, several were
advertised for sale at reasonable prices; and
this in one of her English Majesty's Colonies ;
who makes such a great cry at home about the
wickedness of Slavery in our Country.

As the Consul was very anxious to have his
family see the cabin of our ship, which is fitted
up in very neat style, Capt. Stoddard invited
them off on board, and sent word to the steward
to provide a dinner for twelve. Soon after, we
went on board in company with Capt. Smith
of the Whaler and Mr. Carroll's father in law,
an old Captain of the English Infantry who was
a lieuftenant when Napoleon landed. They were
all very much pleased with the ship, and more
particularly with the dinner which was served
up in the steward's best style. The preserved
Corn which was brought from the States and
put up in tins, took the eye of Mrs. Babcock
and Capt. Smith, both of whom were natives
of Sag Harbor. As they sat down to dinner
they both exclaimed " Well! if here aint some

HENRY BLANEY 115

' Sackertash ' ! Who 'd a thought of seeing
1 Sackertash ' in St. Helena ? " By the time we
had finished our dinner, the water and other
stores were on board ; the mate gave the word
to heave the anchor short, and preparations
were made for the party to return on shore.
As soon as they took leave and descended into
their boat, our anchor was weighed, sails hoisted,
and we bid adieu to St. Helena, in company
with the English Man of War for the African
Coast, two French ships for France, and our
own good ship for " the land of the free and
the home of the brave."

The two French ships steered the same track
with ourselves, and we soon passed ahead of
them ; by 7 o'clock p.m. they were both hull
down astern.

April 30. Lat. 15.10 ; Long. 7.05 — Made
90 miles. At breakfast this morning the steward
broiled a few of the mackerel which had been
procured at St. Helena with other stores. Mr.
Hanson (the mate) and myself ate heartily of
them, and soon after we were attacked with
vertigo and a violent rush of blood to the head,
which Capt. Stoddard said was caused by the

116 HENRY BLANEY

mackerel poisoned by the influence of the moon.
A light dose of medicine and a good nights
rest removed all the effects of our impru-
dence.

May 1. Lat. 14.15; Long 9.32— Made
150 miles. Fine pleasant weather, wind di-
rectly aft, and studding sails out on both sides.
Steering north west 1 north — variation of 1£
points.

May 2. Sunday. Lat. 13.11 ; Long. 12.02
— Made 162 miles. Weather and wind about
the same as yesterday and we are steering the
same course, which we do not vary from, till
we arrive in the Latitude of N.Yk., unless the
wind heads off.

May 3. Lat. 12.08; Long. 14.05— Made
130 miles. Today a very laughable occurrence
took place, though the death of a poor monkey
was the result of it, through the ignorance of
Joe the Cow boy. He had a very vicious mon-
key, and in order to instill into his noddle a
comprehension of the sin of not strictly follow-
ing one of the commandments — " Thou shalt
not steal " — would fasten him to a line and
tow him in the water over the bows, until, as

HENRY BLANEY 117

the Cook says, "he almost distinguished the
vital spark." Today Joe was unusually severe,
and towed him till life was nearly extinct.
Seeing he was unable to move, Joe's conscience
smote him. The Steward advised him, as the
fire in the galley had gone out, to build a new
one and endeavor to resuscitate him. He went
to work, built a strong fire, and hoping to warm
him through speedily, put him on the top of the
stove and covered him over with a piece of can-
vas, and as he thought he had finished his part
of the charitable performance, left nature to do
the rest. She did do it, and as Mrs. Atherton
used to say, "faith, she did it brown." Joe,
thinking it possible poor Jacko would be dried
through or might want to be turned over, took
off the cloth. Whew ! what a smell of burnt
rags. He was dry with a vengeance. One side
was burnt to a crisp and the other as brown as
a nut; while his tail, which was originally a long
one, and straight, was kinked up and almost
twisted into knots by the heat.

May Jf. Lat. 10.32 — Long. 16.42 — Made
180 miles. This day I was in hopes we should
make over 200 miles. The ship had averaged

118 HENRY BLANEY

over 9 knots up to daylight this morning, when
it slacked off to 5 knots.

May 5. Lat. 8.53 — Long. 19.42 — 207
miles. First part of the Trades — Studding
sails set on both sides. Rain showers in the
night — Wind S.E. course N.W. | North.

May 6. Lat. 07.08 South — Long. 22.45
West. Made 215 miles. Strong trades ; pleas-
ant weather with an occasional shower. Course
N.W. 1 North. Wind South East.

May 10. Lat. 2.06 —Long. 29.44 — Made
37 miles. Weather today the same as usual in
these latitudes, pleasant in the morning and
raining in the afternoon. This p.m. a bark hove
in sight, steering N. by West. Talking with
Capt. Stoddard today of Ships and the Cost
of running them, he said the " Mandarin " cost
about $70,000, and the cost of running her, ex-
clusive of port charges, was $50. per day.

May 12. Lat. 0.38 South — Long. 30.4
West. Made 30 miles. Light baffling winds.
In company with one ship and two brigs steer-
ing Northward. P.M. wind south, course N.
by W.

May 13. Lat. 0.08 North — Long. 30.12 —

HENRY BLANEY 119

distance 40 miles. Wind from all points of
the Compass, and frequent squalls. A French
Man of "War in sight steering N.W. probably-
bound to some of the Islands in the West Indies.
Crossed the Equator about 10 o'clk this morn-
ing. Today the sun arose at 6 o'clk and set at 6.

May U. Lat. 1.17 — Long. 31.17 — Made
94 miles. Gentle breezes from the N. East in
the morning, and squally with much rain in the
afternoon.

May 15. Lat. 2.18 — Long. 31.37 — Made
65 miles. Light airs from the South. At 2 p.m.
strong breeze from the North East, with heavy
rain showers. Course North by "West, wind
South by S. West. 85 days out.

May 16. Sunday. Lat. 3.25 —Long. 32.17
— Made 80 miles. This day came in with light
airs and passing clouds. At 3 p.m. the weather
very hot, and a light swell from the N. East.
At midnight moderate breezes from the East-
ward.

May 17. Lat. 5.04 — Long. 35.35 — Dis-
tance 220 miles. All Starboard studding; sails
set. At noon strong Trades with squalls of
rain.

120 HENRY BLANEY

May 18. Lat. 7.14. Long. 39.40 — Made
280 miles. Trades very fresh from North East
by North. At 2 p.m. split the main royal.

May 19. Lat. 9.50 — Long. 43.24 — Made
280 miles. Strong Trades from the N.E. mak-
ing N.W. course. This Evening saw the north
star just above the horizon.

May 20. Lat. 12.17 — Long. 47.10 —
Made 262 miles. Trades began to moderate so
that the starboard studding sails could be set.
Wind N.E. Course N.W.

May 21. Lat. 14.44 — Long. 50.45 — Made
258 miles. Wind N.E. Course N.W. Trades
still moderating.

May 22. Lat. 16.52 N. Long 53.56 W.
distance 220 miles. Today we are directly
under the sun, and at 12 Meridian, can stand
in its rays without its casting a shadow. The
sun revolves from East to West between the
parallels of Latitude of 23^ degrees North and
South. From the 17th. to the 23rd. June, the
sun has reached its northern limit, 23 1 de-
grees, and on the 24th June begins to return
south ; during that period the days at Boston
are 15 hours and 17 minutes long. On the 20th

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HENRY BLANEY 121

December the sun reached its southern limit,
23 1 degrees and remains till the 23rd when
it progresses North. The length of the days
then, at Boston, is 9 hours and 4 minutes.

The last three or four days I have noticed
immense fields of floating yellow weed. When
the weather was calm and the water smooth,
it was seen in great quantities, and when a
breeze sprang up, would detach and float by in
clusters. Capt. Stoddard says it is found in the
water far from any land or rocks, and is seen
only between the Longitudes 50 degrees and
70 degrees West and Latitudes 10 deg. and
40 deg. North. It is also seen in the Pacific
Ocean near the Bashee1 Islands.

May 23. Sunday. Lat. 19.24— Long. 56.37
— distance 220 miles. Course N.W. by N.
Wind N.E. by E. Fine trades — Pleasant
weather, smooth sea.

Today saw the first species of a whale. Two
fin backs. I was sitting aft on the quarter deck
when one arose close along side, with a noise

1 The Bashee Islands are in Lat. 20° 4ff N.; Long. 122°
£. ; about halfway between the Islands of Luzon and For-

122 HENRY BLANEY

like the first snort of a Steam Engine. They
spouted no water, but played around the ship
about two hours.

May 24. Lat. 22.03 Long. 59.02— dis-
tance 208 miles. Course N.W. by N. Wind
N.E. by E. Fine trades, clear pleasant weather.
Crew painting ship inside.

May 25. Lat. 23.35— Long. 60.56— dis-
tance 150 miles. First part of the day fine
breeze from the East, and pleasant weather.
Painting ship outside.

May 26. Lat. 24.33 — Long. 61.46 — dis-
tance 76 miles. Light airs and clear pleasant
weather. Larboard studding sails set. Course
N.W. 1 North. Wind East.

May 27. Lat. 25.30 — Long. 62.16 — dis-
tance 94 miles — Light breezes from the South
East. Clear pleasant weather and smooth sea.

May 28. Lat. 26.51— Long. 64.19 — dis-
tance 130 miles. Light breezes — smooth sea.
Studding sails out on both sides. Occasional
showers. Saw a Schooner bound south and
west.

May 29. Lat. 28.25 —Long. 65.36 — dis-
tance 115 miles. Gentle breezes from South

HENRY BLANEY 123

East — Clear fine weather, smooth sea —
Course N.W. by N.

May 30. Sunday. Lat. 29.20 — Long.
66.40 — distance 75 miles. Light airs, fine
weather, studding sails out both sides. At day-
light saw a fore and aft schooner and a herm.
brig. We are 100 days out from Shanghae.
Think we shall arrive next Friday p.m. Wind
South, Course N.W.

May 31. Lat. 30.47 — Long. 68.07 — dis-
tance 118 miles. This morning at daylight the
wind came out from the South West and at
noon had increased to 10 knots with the pros-
pect of improving. This a.m. passed a herm.
brig, bound probably for Cuba or some of the
Leeward Islands. This day we are in latitude
of New Orleans.

June 1. Lat. 32.38 —Long. 69.54 — Course
North West. At 3 a.m. squally with much
rain. Took in the royals. At 6 a.m. calm with
a strong swell from the North West. We made
this day 144 miles.

June 2. Lat. 34.47 — Long. 71.26 — fresh
breezes from the South West. At 4 a.m. wind
shifted to North East — our course N.W. by

124 HENRY BLANEY

N. At 10 a.m. we are directly in the Longi-
tude of Boston State House (which lays in
Lat. 42.21.5 Long. 71.04.2). Therefore our
Chronometer time and old Hollis St. Church
should compare. At 2 P.M. crossed the Eastern
edge of the Gulf Stream, which we noticed by
the Tide rips. This stream, where we cross,
sets to the Eastward 2^ or 3 knots per hour.
Our course is not altered to allow for this cur-
rent, as there is a counter current on the east
and west edges, and gives a straight course.
In immersing a Thermometer in the water, I
noticed a difference in the temperature of 5
degrees ; outside the edge of the stream 71 de-
grees — Inside 76 degrees. Middle of the
stream 80 degrees. The Southern vessels bound
North in thick weather guide themselves solely
by the temperature of the water. The distance
run today was 160 miles. Distance from New
York 370 miles. Are still sanguine of being
in N. Yk. Friday p.m.

June 3. Lat. 37.15— Long. 72.38 — dis-
tance 174 miles. Course N.W. by W. Wind
very fresh from the W. S.W. At daylight still
in the Gulf Stream — temperature 80 degrees.

HENRY BLANEY 125

Saw a Schooner on our larboard bow steering
the same course as ourselves. At 9 a.m. tem-
perature of the water 73 degrees, showing we
are approaching the western edge. Passed 2
ships, and one Bark on our lee, all probably
Cotton vessels from N. Yk. bound to some of
the Southern ports. At 1 p.m. 2 other ships
bound the same as the others. At 2 p.m.
Temperature water 62 degrees — color dark
blue — In the Gulf Stream — black, p.m. all
hands busy getting the Anchors over the
bows.

At 8 p.m. wind came out from the north, just
the course we wished to steer, i an hour after,
a severe squall struck the ship, but the royals
and top gallant sails were fortunately taken
in in time. At 9 p.m. was boarded by a New
York Pilot who reported us to be 160 miles
south of Sandy Hook and 15 miles east of
Cape May. Sounded at midnight and found
37 fathoms water. Tacked ship and stood off
to the N.E. The pilot brought on board a file
of newspapers the latest of which was 31st
May. Every article was read with the greatest
interest, even the advertisements. The last we

126 HENRY BLANEY

had seen were obtained at St. Helena, and
dated Jan.

June 4' At sunrise wind still ahead and
blowing a gale. Took in all the light sails and
reefed the topsails. At noon reckoned our-
selves to be 90 miles South Sandy Hook and
10 miles off Little Egg Harbor in New Jersey.
Could plainly see the land — very low sand
hills. Standing off and on all day without gain-
ing a mile on our course — 6 or 8 small vessels
in sight — part of them Pilot boats. At sun-
down wind died away, and a prospect of the
wind coming out from the westward. In that
case shall probably be in New York by Satur-
day P.M.

June 5. At daylight wind came out from
the North and directly ahead. The morning
was spent in beating off and on the coast. At
noon a calm. At 5 p.m. wind came out light
from the Southward ; put her before the wind
and set larboard studding sails. At 8 p.m. 5
steamships passed us from New York — 2 for
Chagres — 1 for Charleston — 1 for Savannah
and 1 for Norfolk.

June 6. Sunday. At daylight made Sandy

HENRY BLANEY 127

Hook and at 8 a.m. a steamer took us in tow
and carried us along side the wharf in New
York City — after a very pleasant passage of
105 days.

From Shanghae to Anjer (Java) 17 days

Anjer " Cape Good Hope 38

Cape Good Hope to St. Helena 15

St. Helena to the Equator 14

Equator to New York 21

Shanghae to New York 105

Henry Blaney.

THE END

NOTES

"In 1847, A. A. Low & Bro. brought out
the Samuel Russell, of 940 tons, built by
Brown & Bell and commanded by Captain
N. B. Palmer, formerly of the Houqua. Her
first voyage from New York to Hong-Kong
was made by the eastern passages in 114
days. On a voyage from Canton in 1851 she
sailed 6780 miles in 30 days, an average of
226 miles per day, her greatest twenty-four
hours' run being 328 miles. This ship was
named for the eminent New York merchant,
founder of the house of Russell & Company
of China, with whom the brothers Low began
their career as merchants and shipowners. She
was a beautiful vessel, heavily sparred, with
plenty of light canvas for moderate weather,
and every inch a clipper."

(The voyage from Canton in 1851, referred
to above, was presumably the return voyage
next after Mr. Blaney's outward passage.)

130 NOTES

" The only clipper ship to make the voyage
to San Francisco prior to 1850 was the Mem-
non, under Captain George Gordon, which
arrived there July 28, 1849, after a record
passage of one hundred and twenty days from
New York. The first contest of clippers round
Cape Horn took place in 1850, between the
Houqua, Sea Witch, Samuel Russell, and Mem-
non, old rivals on China voyages, and the new
clippers Celestial, Mandarin, and Race Horse.
All of these vessels had their friends, and
large sums of money were wagered on the re-
sult, the four older ships, especially the Sea
Witch, having established high reputations for
speed. The Samuel Russell was commanded by
Captain Charles Low, previously of the Hou-
qua, while the Houqua was now commanded
by Captain McKenzie ; Captain Gordon was
again in the Memnon; and Captain George
Fraser, who had sailed with Captain Water-
man as chief mate, commanded the Sea Witch.

" The Samuel Russell arrived at San Fran-
cisco May 6, 1850, after a passage of 109
days from New York, thus knocking 11 days
off the record, and her friends and backers

NOTES 131

felt confident that this passage could not be
surpassed, at all events not by any of the
clippers of that year. This opinion was in a
measure confirmed when the Houqua arrived
on July 23, 120 days from New York, but on
the following day the Sea Witch came romp-
ing up the bay, 97 days from Sandy Hook,
reducing the record by another 12 days. This
passage astonished every one, even her warm-
est admirers, and well it might, for it has
never been equalled by a ship of her tonnage
and not often excelled even by larger vessels.
This performance of the Sea Witch was the
more remarkable, as she had rounded Cape
Horn during the Antarctic midwinter.

" The remainder of the fleet arrived in the
following order : Memnon, September 27, 123
days ; Celestial, November 1, 104 days ; Race
Horse, from Boston, November 24, 109 days ;
and the Mandarin, November 29, 126 days
from New York. These were all fine passages,
especially when we consider that none of the
vessels was over 1100 tons register. The rec-
ords show that from June 26 to July 28, 1850,
seventeen vessels from New York and sixteen

132 NOTES

from Boston arrived at San Francisco, whose
average passages were 159 days, so that even
the Mandarin's passage of 126 days was very
fast by comparison. We must remember also
that none of these vessels had the advantage of
using Maury's Wind and Current Charts, as
at that time sufficient material had not been
collected to perfect them."

The Samuel Russell made the following re-
cords : —

Cape St. Roque to 50 degrees S., 16 days, —
best time for period 1850 to 1860.

New York to San Francisco, — 109 days in
1850, arriving in May; — 106 days in 1854,
arriving in January.

" The Samuel Russell was wrecked in the
Gaspar Straits in 1870, under command of
Captain Frederick Lucas."

Captain Limeburner was the first com-
mander of Donald McKay's Great Republic,
launched in 1853, " the largest extreme clipper

NOTES 133

ship ever built," " and by far the largest mer-
chant ship constructed up to that time." He was
in command for several years, during which
period she made the voyage from New York to
San Francisco in ninety-two days, within three
days of the best record.

" The first California clippers, thirteen in
number, were launched during the year 1850,
the Celestial, 860 tons, built by William H.
Webb and owned by Bucklin & Crane, of New
York, being the first to leave the ways. She
was soon followed by the Mandarin, 776 tons,
built by Smith & Dimon for Goodhue & Co.,
of New York, and the Surprise, 1361 tons,
owned by A. A. Low & Brother ; Gamecock,
1392 tons, owned by Daniel C. Bacon, Boston,
and the barque Race Horse, 512 tons, owned
by Goddard & Co., Boston, all built by Samuel
Hall at East Boston."

" The Mandarin, ... a fine-looking ship,
was intended by her builders to be an improved
Sea Witch, and although she made some ex-
cellent passages, she never came up to the

134 NOTES

older vessel in point of speed ; the Sea Witch
was her builders' masterpiece, and they, like
many others, found her a difficult ship to im-
prove upon."

The Mandarin made the following records : —

Cape St. Koque to 50 degrees S., 20 days.

Canton to New York, 89 days.

New York to Melbourne, 71 days.

In 1853, after the homeward voyage in the
Mandarin, Captain Stoddard commanded the
Kathay, of 1460 tons, built by Jacob A. Wes-
tervelt; this command continued for several
years.

PRINTED BY H. O. HOUGHTON * CO.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

U.S.A.